Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus leaders on Wednesday stopped a Republican effort to bring back the China initiative from the Trump era.
The initiative was created in 2018 by the Trump administration under the guise of combatting espionage. It profiled and targeted those of Chinese descent. In 2022, the Department of Justice ended the program after several of its cases ended in acquittal, dismissal or were dropped completely.
In January, Republican Congressmembers inserted a provision into a House spending bill that would have restarted the initiative. After encouragement from CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), and Executive Member Senator Mazie Hirono (HI), the provision was removed before the bill passed today.
“We are thankful to House and Senate leaders for hearing the concerns of our community members and removing the provision that would have restarted the China Initiative,” said Reps. Chu and Meng and Sen. Hirono said in a statement.
“Although we are glad that we were successful in getting this language removed from the final bill, we also know that the fight against xenophobia and racism in the United States is ongoing,” the statement added. “As leaders of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, we will continue to fight for laws that respect the equal rights of all Americans and move our country forward.”
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