Bill targets Chinese technology threats

A group of lawmakers introduced legislation Tuesday designed to address Chinese technology threats.

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) said Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Susan Collins (R-ME) joined their efforts to create an Office of Critical Technologies & Security at the White House.

The entity would be responsible for coordinating across agencies and developing a long-term, whole-of-government strategy to protect against state-sponsored technology theft and risks to critical supply chains.

“I thank my Senate colleagues for recognizing the importance of this legislation and the continued threat posed by Chinese government’s assault on U.S. intellectual property, U.S. businesses, and our government networks and information with the full backing of the Chinese Communist Party,” Rubio, a member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said. “The United States needs a more coordinated approach to directly counter this critical threat and ensure we better protect U.S. technology, and this important, bipartisan legislation will streamline efforts across the government.”

Warner, a former technology and telecommunications executive, said there is a need for a whole-of-government technology strategy to protect the nation’s competitiveness in emerging and dual-use technologies.

Companion legislation was previously introduced in the House of Representatives on by Reps. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Mike Conaway (R-TX), Jim Himes (D-CT) and Will Hurd (R-TX).