Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Submits Letter Opposing Reauthorization of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party in Upcoming Congress

Since the formation of the Select Committee in 2023, Advancing Justice – AAJC has strongly opposed several bills that the committee has had a role in developing
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For Immediate Release
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Aleisha Flores (771)-233-8202 aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, December 9, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC), along with 52 undersigned civil rights organizations, submitted a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging them to decline the reauthorization of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (Select Committee) in the upcoming 119th Congress. The committee, if renewed, would not effectively address the valid national security concerns related to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and instead lead to the unfair targeting of Asian Americans and Asian immigrants – who are already vulnerable to racial profiling, discrimination, and violence. 

Since the formation of the Select Committee in 2023, Advancing Justice – AAJC has strongly opposed several bills that the committee has had a role in developing. Advancing Justice – AAJC has also expressed concern about members of the Select Committee’s utilization of fearmongering, hostile and aggressive language when discussing the U.S.-China relationship. We have cautioned against such rhetoric and its perpetuation of dangerous stereotypes and prejudice which has historically led to programs and laws such as the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which have threatened the rights of innocent individuals. 

There are legitimate national security and economic concerns with the CCP in regard to cybersecurity, intellectual property and human rights abuses. However, the Select Committee’s issues of interest all fall within other permanent Congressional committees, making it both unnecessary and jurisdictionally redundant. Instead of reauthorizing a committee that perpetuates a harmful framework and pours more fuel on existing racial animus, the House should redirect much-needed resources elsewhere. 

The full letter can be read here. 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.