Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. America Competes Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to instruct from my colleague and Oklahoma delegation member, Mr. Lucas.

Safeguarding our national security, improving our supply chain resiliency, and bolstering American innovation are things that we can all agree on. However, in the COMPETES Act, Democrats took these problems and drafted ineffective, partisan policies in response. As a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, we had previously advanced strong legislation to combat these very issues.

On top of this, when this legislation came to the House floor for a vote in February, Republicans in the House were denied the opportunity to provide input on these important issues through the restrictive processes of the majority.

While over 600 amendments were submitted, less than half of those were made in order by the Committee on Rules. Of the 600, there were a number that would have taken steps to address the ever-growing threat we face from the Chinese Communist Party and their affiliated companies operating in the United States.

This motion to instruct will ensure that the critical investments we are making in America's innovation don't fall into the hands of our foreign adversaries.

Democrats' failure to include similar provisions in the COMPETES Act exemplify their continued, weak policies on China that compromise our strategic advantage and our national security.

It is common sense that U.S. taxpayer dollars should not be lining the pockets of the Chinese Communist Party, and instead, should be used to strengthen our industries here at home. Investing in American companies will strengthen the economy while keeping the Nation safe.

Madam Speaker, this should not be a partisan issue. I encourage the adoption of the motion.

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