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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations voted to pass the Strategic Competition Act of 2021. Rubio voted in favor of the legislation, which contained some Rubio-authored or amended provisions. 

“How the United States addresses the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to our economic and national security will be the defining story of the 21^st century,” Rubio said. “Congress must pass meaningful legislation to actually counter the CCP’s malign activities, protect against its exploitation of American openness, and invest in the capacity we need to compete globally. This bill, along with other proposals that I hope will be considered, could help drive U.S. policy in the right direction.

“Unfortunately, this bill does not include a number of important provisions, like sanctions for China’s illicit activities in the South China Sea or national security measures to disqualify CCP members from receiving 10-year multi-entry visas,” Rubio continued. “I look forward to working with Chairman Menendez, Ranking Member Risch and the rest of my colleagues to continue to improve the bill on the Senate Floor. America cannot afford half measures as we seek to confront China’s aggression and egregious violations of human rights and international law.”

Rubio-led provisions included in the committee-passed bill include:

• Sanctions on officials involved in “serious human rights abuses in connection with forced labor” as well as “systematic rape, coercive abortion, forced sterilization, or involuntary contraceptive implantation policies and practices” against Uyghurs and other ethnic Muslim groups.

• Rubio language requiring the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to submit a report to Congress regarding the origin of the virus that causes COVID-19, including disclosure of intelligence and diplomatic reporting, with sources redacted.  

• Language from Rubio’s Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act that directs the U.S. Government to refer to Taiwan as a government, not the “Taiwan authorities,” and additional Taiwan related provisions, including striking reference to “One China” policy, calling for an FTA with Taiwan, and other areas.

• Rubio language supporting a Tenth General Capital Increase for the Inter-American Development Bank, which will help countries restructure Chinese debt to achieve sustainable and serviceable debt structures. 

• Rubio language requiring the US Special Coordinator for Tibet shall be the rank of Under Secretary of State or higher and established a Tibet Unit in our Embassy in Beijing.

• Rubio language prohibiting the State Department from hiring consultants to advise on supply chain relocation who have worked with the Chinese government, military, or SOE or their subsidiaries in the past year.

• Rubio language requiring a report on Chinese military and security activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, including sales of surveillance technology to Venezuela, Cuba, and Ecuador.