03/28/2024

Rep. Robert Pittenger

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Rep. Robert Pittenger

WASHINGTON – On Monday, the United States Senate gave strong bipartisan approval to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes key provisions drafted by Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) to block China from acquiring sensitive national security technology.

Pittenger and Cornyn’s Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act, which was included in the Senate NDAA, modernizes and strengthens the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

“Our laws have not kept pace with the global economy.  Right now, the gate is wide open for China to steal our sensitive national security technology through loopholes and other strategic business deals,” said Congressman Pittenger.  “Senator Cornyn and I have been working for more than two years to close those loopholes, battling against well-funded lobbyists determined to preserve the status quo.  We look forward to House passage and President Trump signing this vital national security legislation into law.”

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider Congressman Pittenger’s Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) in the next few weeks.  The House and Senate versions of NDAA will go to conference to be reconciled, and Congressman Pittenger expects FIRRMA to be included in the final version.

BACKGROUND

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is the only government mechanism to ensure potential foreign investments do not harm our national security.  However, CFIUS has not been substantially updated in many years.

The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act:

·        Expands CFIUS jurisdiction to include joint ventures, minority position investments, and real estate transactions near military bases and other sensitive national security facilities.

·        Updates CFIUS definition of “critical technologies” to include emerging technologies that could be essential for maintaining the U.S. technological advantage over countries that pose threats.

·        Adds new national security factors to the review process.

·        Strengthens the government’s ability to protect American “critical infrastructure” from foreign government disruption.

Congressman Pittenger’s national security legislation has been endorsed by the White House, Secretary of Defense Mattis, and five former Secretaries of Defense.

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