Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill.

We find ourselves in a strategic competition with an increasingly assertive People's Republic of China. The PRC is trying to manipulate and alter the economic, political, and security underpinnings of the American-led, rules-based international order, an order that has brokered decades of peace, prosperity, and stability for many.

As it has grown in wealth and power, we have seen the PRC bend international rules and laws to meet its interests, bully nations over maritime and border disputes, and grow more closed and authoritarian at home.

Today, the PRC is systematically leveraging its growing military, economic, and technological heft to compete with us globally. And that is happening whether we like it or not.

We must reckon with this stark, new reality by positioning America to win this competition, and H.R. 4521, the America COMPETES Act, does just that. It powers the engine of the American economy through investments in science, innovation, and technology. It raises the flag of American diplomacy and leadership to reassure the world that America is indeed back at the table, ready to counter China's efforts to manipulate the international system and to strengthen our allies and partnerships.

Centering diplomacy and bolstering America's global leadership and engagement are the themes of my bill, the EAGLE Act, which serves as the foreign affairs division of the America COMPETES Act.

The EAGLE Act bolsters our diplomacy bilaterally, at regional organizations, and through groupings like the Quad to ensure that we bring our partners and allies with us to prevent the PRC from undermining global rules. It demonstrates that America is capable and willing to tackle the world's biggest problems and marshal a response to shared challenges like the current pandemic. And it ensures that the United States will lead with its values and stand up for international law and human rights.

In many respects, this legislation goes further than the Senate's competition bill in terms of responding to the People's Republic of China's human rights abuses. In addition to sanctions related to the genocide in Xinjiang, the EAGLE Act contains refugee protections for Uyghurs and Hong Kongers and also calls for a special envoy for Xinjiang.

I can say with absolute confidence that when it comes to standing up for our values, the America COMPETES Act is bold and principled.

Madam Speaker, I support this historic bill, and I urge my fellow colleagues to do just the same.

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