Politico | US Senate’s bipartisan swing at China faces Republican curveballs
- The two parties’ interests overlap considerably on Beijing, but their accord could wither in the heat of a 50-50 chamber
- A historic bill aimed at countering China’s global influence is in danger thanks to a behind-the-scenes Republican effort
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Andrew Desiderio on politico.com on April 14, 2021.
Chuck Schumer’s bid to put a bipartisan China bill on the Senate floor this month is in danger thanks to a behind-the-scenes Republican push to pump the brakes on an issue personally vital to the majority leader.
Senators from both parties have publicly projected confidence in recent days about the prospect of coming together on a historic effort to counter China’s global influence, a rare alignment in a bitterly partisan era on an issue that could prove politically valuable to everyone involved.
But in reality, the state of the talks is growing more precarious.
If we can’t agree on a bill regarding China, we should probably close this place
“A lot of my colleagues are approaching me and indicating that we need to slow this thing down,” Senator Todd Young, Schumer’s lead Republican partner on the China effort, told POLITICO on Wednesday.
“They’re conscientious and want to grow comfortable with the text. We have to get this right. This is an incredibly consequential bill.”