Stops the distribution of Chinese Communist Party-controlled publications, such as China Daily, in House facilities to prevent foreign influence. This policy does not restrict private subscriptions or access through public channels.
Abraham Hamadeh
Representative
AZ-8
This bill stops the distribution of China Daily, a Chinese Communist Party propaganda outlet, in House buildings. It prevents the Chief Administrative Officer from distributing these publications or using internal mail for their delivery, aiming to protect the House from foreign influence. The policy does not restrict private subscriptions by individuals, access through public facilities, or collection by the Library of Congress. The bill defines a CCP-controlled publication as one registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
House Bans CCP-Controlled Publications in Its Buildings: New Rule Aims to Curb Foreign Influence
The House of Representatives just passed a new rule that prohibits the distribution of publications controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within House facilities. This means the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) can't distribute these materials in House office buildings or through the internal mail system. The goal? To protect the integrity of the House and prevent foreign influence operations.
Straight-Up Ban on CCP Propaganda
This new policy specifically targets publications like China Daily, which is a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA). The bill defines a "Chinese Communist Party-controlled publication" as any publication that's required to register under FARA and is owned, controlled, or directed by the CCP or its affiliates (SEC. 1.). So, if it's registered as a foreign agent and the CCP has a hand in it, it's out of the House's internal distribution channels.
How This Will Work Day-to-Day
Starting immediately, the CAO will stop distributing these publications and will notify all House offices about the change. Practically speaking, if you work in a House office building, you won't see CCP-controlled publications being delivered through official channels anymore. But, here's the catch: this doesn't stop Members of Congress or their staff from receiving these publications privately (SEC. 1.). It also doesn't affect public access areas or the Library of Congress's collection. Think of it like this: the House isn't delivering it, but if you subscribe personally, that's your business.
Real-World Impact: Less CCP Influence?
The main idea behind this rule is to reduce the potential for foreign influence operations within House facilities. By limiting the distribution of CCP-backed publications, the House aims to create a more secure and unbiased environment. For example, a staffer working on legislation related to international trade won't have CCP-produced materials readily available in the office, potentially shaping their perspective. It's about keeping the information flow within the House a bit cleaner.
The Bigger Picture and Potential Challenges
While this move is designed to bolster institutional integrity, there could be some practical challenges. The definition of "CCP-controlled" might get tricky. How much control is too much control? It's possible this definition could be challenged or interpreted in different ways. Also, while this limits one avenue of influence, it doesn't shut down every possible route. It's a step toward greater awareness of foreign propaganda, but realistically, it's not a complete solution.