Huntsville Leader

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Strategic Homeland Intelligence and Enforcement Legislation to Defend (SHIELD) Against CCP Act, proposed by Representative Dale W. Strong from Alabama's 5th District. The legislation passed with overwhelming support, securing a vote of 409 to 4.

"China is one of the biggest threats to our country, and they have taken every opportunity over the last four years to exploit Biden's open borders," stated Rep. Dale Strong. "This bill will ensure DHS has a dedicated team working to combat this threat head-on. After a long four years, it’s time to make America safer. I’m excited to get this bill through to better protect the American people."

Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates that apprehensions of Chinese nationals have exceeded 64,000 since President Biden took office. The Department of Homeland Security has recognized that some Chinese nationals exploit U.S. immigration systems for intelligence gathering and other illicit activities.

The new legislation mandates the creation of a Department of Homeland Security working group focused on addressing these threats by analyzing and reporting on unconventional tactics used by China.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) poses ongoing risks to U.S. homeland security, particularly in light of recent policies perceived as lenient towards China. Incidents such as the CCP surveillance balloon over sensitive sites in February 2023 and illegal Chinese police stations operating in places like New York exemplify these concerns.

During a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing in March 2023, experts discussed various threats posed by the CCP, including exploitation of American universities, intellectual property theft, supply chain security risks, infrastructure threats, and surveillance activities across the United States.

It is estimated that China's theft of U.S. intellectual property costs billions annually—translating into significant financial burdens for American families.

Top government agencies describe China's counterintelligence and economic espionage as severe threats to both economic stability and democratic values in the United States.