Bill Summary
This bill aims to require the Director of National Intelligence to submit a yearly report on any investments made by Chinese entities in port infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The report will also include an assessment of the potential for these investments to be used for military purposes and any implications for the United States. The report will be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees, and may contain a classified annex. The bill defines "covered foreign entity" as the Government of the People's Republic of China, any entity owned or controlled by them, and any other entity with substantial ties to them. "Covered port infrastructure" is defined as any port infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect people who work at or own businesses located in ports in the Western Hemisphere, as the annual report would identify any Chinese investments in these ports and assess the potential implications for the United States. These individuals may face stricter regulations or security measures due to the foreign investment.
2. People living in communities near covered port infrastructure may be impacted by this legislation, as the report may highlight any potential military capabilities of a foreign entity that could affect their safety or well-being.
3. The legislation could also affect individuals who are involved in trade and commerce through ports in the Western Hemisphere, as the report may reveal any implications for the United States in terms of economic competition or security concerns. This could potentially lead to changes in trade agreements or tariffs, affecting the livelihoods of these individuals.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6542 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6542
To require the Director of National Intelligence to submit an annual
report on investment by any Chinese entity in port infrastructure in
the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 1, 2022
Mr. Fallon (for himself and Ms. Salazar) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Director of National Intelligence to submit an annual
report on investment by any Chinese entity in port infrastructure in
the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ANNUAL REPORT ON
INVESTMENT BY ANY CHINESE ENTITY IN COVERED PORT
INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Director of National
Intelligence, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that includes the following for the year covered by
the report:
(1) An identification of any covered port infrastructure in
which a covered foreign entity has made or maintained an
investment.
(2) An assessment of the capability of any such foreign
entity to leverage for military purposes such infrastructure,
and any implications for the United States.
(b) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted
in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee
on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on
Intelligence of the Senate.
(2) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign
entity'' means--
(A) the Government of the People's Republic of
China;
(B) any entity partially or wholly owned or
controlled by the Government of the People's Republic
of China, and any subsidiaries of such an entity; and
(C) any other entity registered in the People's
Republic of China with substantial ties to the
Government of the People's Republic of China.
(3) Covered port infrastructure.--The term ``covered port
infrastructure'' means the infrastructure, including any
harbor, marine terminal, or other shoreside facility of any
port located in the Western Hemisphere.
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