Lawmakers Float New Outbound Investment Screening Bill for China Package
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has crafted a new proposal for an outbound investment screening mechanism that will ensure the U.S. is “not ceding its manufacturing power in industries critical to our economic and national security.” The “refined proposal,” negotiated during the congressional conference for the Bipartisan Innovation Act, will be “robust” but also will address industry concerns, said the lawmakers, including Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Bob Casey, D-Pa., who originally proposed a version of the bill last year (see 2201140038). “We look forward to meaningful engagement in writing from stakeholders as we work to secure this bill in the conference report,” the lawmakers said.
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House Ways and Means ranking member Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, told reporters on a call June 14 that while he appreciates that lawmakers had narrowed their proposal "to some extent," he is still "loathe to grant this, or any, admninstration sweeping new powers." He said the bill has not been vetted, and needs to be the subject of hearings and a markup to be considered. "This is too troubling a government expansion to be rushed into law without careful consideration and debate," he said. He also said that he thinks the administration should better use its existing tools of sanctions and export controls.