WASHINGTON – Two Senate committees today advanced bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, chair of the Emerging Threats Subcommittee, to help the U.S. outcompete China, strengthen domestic supply chains, and secure critical infrastructure.
“The United States must invest in innovative technologies made here in America so that we can stay ahead of threats that we face from the Chinese government and other foreign adversaries,” Senator Hassan said. “These bipartisan bills will help counter the Chinese government, boost domestic manufacturing and innovation, and help protect critical infrastructure against breaches like we saw with SolarWinds and the Colonial Pipeline. I am glad to see such strong, bipartisan support for these important bills, and I will keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get these important priorities over the finish line.”
The Commerce Committee voted today to advance bipartisan legislation that Senator Hassan joined in introducing, the Endless Frontier Act, to advance and solidify the United States’ leadership in scientific and technological innovation through increased investments in the discovery, creation, and manufacturing of technology that is critical to national security and economic competitiveness. The Endless Frontier Act also includes bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Hassan, to strengthen national security by advancing U.S. capabilities in quantum networking and establishing a more comprehensive approach to workforce development.
The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, on which Senator Hassan sits, voted on a bipartisan basis to advance legislation that Senator Hassan introduced with Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) to help ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is identifying and addressing risks to critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure includes systems that support the economy, public health, and national security — for instance nuclear reactors, electrical grids, banks, and hospitals.
The Homeland Security Committee also advanced on a bipartisan basis legislation that Senator Hassan cosponsored, the Safeguarding American Innovation Act, to help stop foreign governments, particularly China, from stealing American taxpayer-funded research and intellectual property developed at U.S. colleges and universities
These bipartisan bills are part of Senator Hassan’s ongoing efforts to outcompete China and invest in U.S. research and manufacturing. In February, Senator Hassan and a bipartisan group of her colleagues discussed strengthening the U.S. supply chain with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The year-end defense bill also included a measure based on a bipartisan bill Senator Hassan cosponsored, the USA Telecommunications Act, which seeks to encourage and support U.S. innovation in the race for 5G by providing funds to support research and development in Western-based alternatives to Chinese equipment providers Huawei and ZTE. In addition, Senator Hassan has worked to strengthen research and development in the U.S. by introducing the bipartisan American Innovation and Jobs Act to support research and development (R&D) investments by innovative startups and by established companies making major R&D investments, which could help the U.S. ramp up its production of semiconductors.
###