House Republicans Push Anti-China Bills, Including Drone Surveillance Ban

In a move that’s more about politics than policy, House Republicans are pushing through a series of bills aimed at showing they’re tough on China. While many of these bills are unlikely to become law due to Democratic opposition, one that stands out is the unanimous support for banning drone surveillance equipment made by DJI Technologies, a Chinese drone maker accused of human rights abuses and data sharing with Beijing, reports The New York Times.

Politically Divisive Measures

The House considered several partisan bills this week, including one that would require Senate ratification of any W.H.O. pandemic agreements. Representative Bob Good, a Republican from Virginia, reportedly called it an “international power grab by leftist elitists who hate America.” Only four Democrats supported this measure.

Another divisive bill aimed to revive the Trump-era “China Initiative” to curb Chinese espionage, which the Biden administration ended due to concerns about unfair targeting of people of Chinese descent. Democrats argued that the program discouraged talented Chinese engineers and researchers from coming to the U.S., but Republicans maintained there was no evidence of bias.

Bipartisan Support on Some Issues

Despite the partisan divide, there were areas of agreement. For instance, a bill restricting the sale of agricultural land to foreign nationals from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran garnered support from 55 Democrats.

Similarly, 36 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting a measure to restrict federal funding for universities partnering with Confucius Institutes, which have been accused of military espionage.

Unanimous Support for Drone Ban

One area where lawmakers from both parties came together was on the issue of drone surveillance.

There was unanimous support for a bill to prevent the use of drone surveillance equipment produced by DJI Technologies.

The U.S. government has long accused DJI of conducting widespread human rights abuses and providing sensitive data to Beijing.

“This is a significant step in addressing the security concerns surrounding DJI’s drones,” said Representative August Pfluger, a Republican from Texas.

Missing Major Issues

Despite the flurry of activity, some major issues were notably absent. A bill to restrict outbound investments in sensitive Chinese sectors and another to lower the price threshold for taxes and forced labor standards on Chinese imports were left out. These omissions were due to internal turf battles and industry pushback.

“China Week is weak on China,” said Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois. “What’s weak about this package is what’s not in there.”

DroneXL’s Take

The unanimous support for banning DJI’s drone surveillance equipment highlights a growing concern about the security implications of Chinese technology.

As drones become more integrated into various industries, ensuring their security and the protection of sensitive data is paramount. This move aligns with recent discussions on drone technology and its impact on national security, as seen in articles like this one on drone technology and this one on drone incidents.

The bigger picture here is the need for robust regulations and oversight to ensure that drone technology is used responsibly and securely.

What are your thoughts on this article? Leave your comments below.

Photo courtesy of DJI.