Despite national security concerns, GOP leader McCarthy blocked bipartisan bid to limit China's role

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post



House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) blocked a bipartisan attempt to limit Chinese companies from contracting with U.S. transit systems, a move that benefited a Chinese government-backed manufacturer with a plant in his district, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. His behind-the-scenes intervention came as Congress was trying this year to craft a spending compromise to avert another government shutdown. McCarthy pressed lawmakers to strip out language that could have prevented the company in his district, BYD Motors, from winning federal contracts, and they relented because they feared imperiling the bill.

BYD Motors is a division of BYD Co., a giant Chinese manufacturer. Among other things, it makes electric buses that are often used by local governments. Stella Li, BYD Motors president, is a campaign contributor to McCarthy, and the lawmaker spoke at a ribbon cutting for BYD’s California plant in 2017. Lawmakers frequently take a stance on legislation that could affect campaign contributors or hometown companies. But McCarthy’s intervention was striking because the close ally of President Trump sought to protect Chinese interests at a time when Trump and many lawmakers on Capitol Hill are attempting to curb Beijing’s access to U.S. markets, particularly in industries deemed vital to national security. Just last week, Trump put Chinese telecom giant Huawei on a trade “blacklist” that severely restricts its access to U.S. technology.

McCarthy’s move to protect a Chinese company’s interests frustrated even some members of his own party because they have warned repeatedly that allowing Chinese-backed firms access to U.S. infrastructure systems could pose a national security risk to the United States. Lawmakers of both parties have complained that U.S. tax dollars should not be used to support projects that benefit foreign companies.

“Kevin McCarthy has been championing a Chinese-owned company that is utilizing our tax dollars to gain a foothold in the American automotive industry,” said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a labor-business partnership that has advocated for a tougher approach with China. “This is a company that is clearly championed by the Chinese government that has ambitions to dominate the global auto market, and so giving a foothold to it in the American transit market .?.?. seems to be a really, really risky proposition.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/despite-national-security-concerns-gop-leader-mccarthy-blocked-bipartisan-bid-to-limit-chinas-role-in-us-transit/2019/05/21/24bb0f72-7813-11e9-b7ae-390de4259661_story.html

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Full headline: Despite national security concerns, GOP leader McCarthy blocked bipartisan bid to limit China’s role in U.S. transit

[More_Cowbell]

1. He's the one on tape saying "There's two people I think Putin pays"

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/333951-majority-leader-mccarthy-in-2016-i-think-putin-pays-trump

[WhiteTara]

3. Now it would seem he is another

being paid by Putin and his hencemen.

[Honeycombe8]

2. If the Democrats lose the House, this is who will be the Speaker.

Intuition tells me he's not one of those who works across the aisle and compromises, for the good of the country and to govern properly.

This is scary. We need to gain even more seats in the House in the future, to protect our majority.

[benld74]

4. I thought McCarthy left government in the 50's,,,,,

[BigmanPigman]

5. I hope this one is remembered in American History the same way

as that monster.