15 months and counting, massive China bill tests ability of a divided US Congress to compromise

Condemning Beijing is a bipartisan activity in Washington, but legislation to make US more competitive against China requires a rare round of negotiations

In addition to several sticking points between Republicans and Democrats, aides note that midterm elections are starting to come into consideration

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Published: 10:30pm, 15 May 2022

In late February 2021, as US President Joe Biden’s administration was just getting started, a Congress hungry to confront Beijing dived into a new project – sweeping legislation meant to jolt American industry and alliances in the competition with China.

Fifteen months later, after scores of hearings, speeches, votes, and even name changes, the bill now faces a final, towering hurdle: actually becoming law.

In a potential coup for Beijing, observers inside and outside Congress say they do not know if it will pass because of toxic partisanship, particularly in the House of Representatives – even though Republicans and Democrats alike say that the US must do more to take on China.

“Pass the damn bill and send it to me,” Biden said on May 6.

Congress is trying. But in interviews, aides in both the House and Senate who are closely involved in the bill negotiations described deep uncertainty about what is to come.

US President Joe Biden is ready to sign a China bill, but Congress is stuck in negotiations. Photo: Bloomberg

They warned that the clock is ticking before the midterm elections in November. Every day that the bill does not become law is another day closer to a potential flip in congressional leadership, from Democrats to Republicans.