The bill, called the No Limits Act, would give Chinese military firms identified by the US government 180 days to withdraw from the Russian market before facing “full blocking sanctions”.
Other cosponsors include congressmen Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican, and Jimmy Panetta, a California Democrat.
In recent years, the number of bills introduced in Congress relating to China has skyrocketed.
Between 2013 and 2021, these increased six-fold, according to Washington-based think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, although relatively few become law.
Senior US official explains how China risks crossing ‘red line’ with Russia
Senior US official explains how China risks crossing ‘red line’ with Russia
That is especially true of the current, highly fractious 118th session of Congress. In 2023, just 20 laws passed both houses and were signed by the American president, the fewest in decades.
That said, distrust of China one of the few issues drawing bipartisan agreement.
The No Limits Act is likely to be the last legislation sponsored by Gallagher, 40, who is slated to retire from Congress at the end of the week. “When I ran, I knew this wasn’t going to be a career for me,” he said of his decision last month.
As outlined, the No Limits Act would direct the Defence Department to identify export-controlled technologies most at risk of diversion through China and impose a new and stronger nationwide control on them.
And it would grant the Commerce Department authority to deny any export license.
It would also give US presidents authority to sanction any Chinese firm involved in military modernisation at their discretion.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
US House panel targeting Chinese influence makes its mark, to mixed reviews
US House panel targeting Chinese influence makes its mark, to mixed reviews
“You can certainly expect that that is an issue that he would be expected to raise,” the spokesman.
Moolenaar, who will succeed Gallagher as chairman of the select committee, said China’s Communist Party and Russia “are working together to hurt America and our allies”.
“The American people will benefit from this legislation as it will make it more difficult for Russia and the CCP to work together against our country.”
