Schumer’s Bill to Curb China’s Economic Might Meets GOP Opposition

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Inside Towers recently reported that the legislative package from Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) aimed at curbing China’s technological and economic might has ballooned. Now, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is warning that Republicans want additional changes before scheduling a final floor vote.

The news comes as Schumer wants to wrap up the bill before the Senate leaves for a one-week break by Friday. Schumer will need the support of at least 10 GOP senators to get the bill passed, according to The Hill. If that doesn’t happen, that means talks would drag into early June, since the Senate returns on June 7.  

The Endless Frontier Act, now called the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, has grown to include more than $170 billion in funding to fuel technological and economic competition with China. It includes $52 billion for domestic semiconductor production and $1.5 billion for telecommunications funding along with intellectual property enforcement, among other additions, Inside Towers reported.

“So far we’ve had a few votes on important amendments. There are a lot more that need consideration. And we should not close debate on this bill until those amendments are addressed,” McConnell said Monday. His comments come as Republicans have put in requests for additional changes to S. 1260, which could threaten to drag out debate over the legislation.

For example, Schumer’s facing growing headaches concerning the $52 billion provision on semiconductor manufacturing. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), an adviser to McConnell, warned that as currently drafted it could cost the legislation votes. He’s offering an amendment to try to strike wage-related language out of the bill, according to The Hill.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) slammed the same provision Monday for a different reason. “As part of the Endless Frontiers bill we should not be handing out $53 billion in corporate welfare to some of the largest and most profitable corporations in the country with no strings attached,” Sanders tweeted. An aide to Sanders said the lawmaker is expected to propose an amendment. 

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