NE Washington News

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Full Committee Business Meeting to approve the transfer of the official classified transcript from the March 7, 2024, executive session titled “Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries” to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in accordance with House Rules.

“Good morning and welcome to today’s Committee business meeting. The action we are taking is significant to preserving this Committee’s hard work to protect the American people and our national security.”

Foreign adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), pose a substantial national security threat, according to Rodgers. She stated, “Our adversaries are actively working to undermine America’s global leadership. It has been a bipartisan priority for this Congress and this Committee to take action to counter that threat."

The Energy and Commerce Committee has spearheaded efforts in this regard by passing H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which has now become law. Rodgers noted that these efforts began on March 23, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing with TikTok's CEO—his first appearance before Congress—to understand risks posed by CCP-controlled applications.

“That hearing further confirmed our greatest fears—that the CCP is weaponizing applications, like TikTok, against the American people,” she said.

Nearly a year later, on March 7, 2024, another legislative hearing was held titled 'Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries.' Intelligence community representatives testified about dangers posed by such applications and emphasized Congress's role in defending Americans' data.

Rodgers highlighted that H.R 7521 presented TikTok with an ultimatum: divest from its parent company controlled by the CCP or face a ban in the United States. She remarked that since then, it has become clear that "the CCP is using these applications in nefarious ways against the American people."

TikTok's response was litigation against the United States aiming to challenge this legislation. However, Rodgers expressed confidence in its legal robustness: “I am confident this legislation will withstand legal scrutiny.”

In June 2024, DOJ formally requested a copy of the executive session transcript from March 2024 for assistance in their litigation. According to House rules, releasing evidence or testimony taken in executive session requires a committee vote.

“We will vote to do that this morning and in doing so will continue our efforts to protect the American people from foreign adversaries,” said Rodgers.

She concluded her statement emphasizing that companies controlled by foreign adversaries like CCP do not align with American values such as freedom of speech and human rights: “This foreign interference and manipulation is not welcome here and we will do whatever it takes to stop it.”