Despite national security concerns, GOP leader McCarthy blocked bipartisan bid to limit China's role
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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 BYDs California plant in 2017.
Lawmakers frequently take a stance on legislation that could affect campaign contributors or hometown companies. But McCarthys 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 Beijings 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.
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?utm_term=.0f9e18ffe689
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,967 posts)left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Tue May 21, 2019, 11:24 AM
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142318786
Omaha Steve
(99,509 posts)See the earlier post here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142318786