Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. BRECHEEN. Mr. Chairman, this amendment prohibits the Department of Energy from issuing licenses to export nuclear materials to China, closing a loophole that currently allows for the export of some of those products.

Last year, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission rightly suspended the general license for export of nuclear material to China. However, this action left open the possibility that nuclear exporters could be granted a specific license to continue sending nuclear materials to China.

This commonsense amendment is something that should be put forward, as no one wants the United States to give one of our greatest adversaries access to nuclear materials. For years, the People's Republic of China has engaged in a campaign of aggressive economic and political competition with the United States. China steals our intellectual property; engages in dishonest trade practices; spies on U.S. citizens, to include balloons; and constantly attempts to spread its influence across the United States.

China is openly aggressive in the Asia-Pacific region, making clear its desire for regional dominance.

We should never reward this behavior by giving them dangerous nuclear materials. We cannot allow these materials with a potential for dual use to be sent to our most powerful global adversary. We are engaged in competition with them.

With a People's Republic of China that is not friendly, we cannot allow our trade policies to work to the detriment of our national security.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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