The House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation from Congressman Lance Gooden to combat Chinese Communist Party (CCP) espionage and intellectual property theft on Mar. 26, moving the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from the CCP Act to a full House vote after a committee approval of 14–9.
The legislation is intended to address concerns about economic threats posed by the CCP through espionage and theft of American innovation. Supporters say these activities have significant effects on U.S. businesses, universities, and national security.
“The CCP is waging economic warfare by spying on and stealing American innovation. This bill puts an end to their years of theft and espionage and defends the businesses that power our economy,” said Rep. Lance Gooden.
If enacted, the bill would establish a dedicated initiative within the Department of Justice focused on countering economic espionage linked to the CCP. The measure aims to strengthen coordination between agencies such as the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and national security entities, while also requiring regular reporting to Congress regarding ongoing threats from China-backed efforts against Americans and U.S. companies.
Previous efforts included the Trump administration’s “China Initiative,” which specifically addressed these concerns but was discontinued in 2022 by the Biden-Harris administration despite what supporters called its success. According to the office of Congressman Gooden, academic researchers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields at U.S. universities are often targeted for recruitment by agents working for China.
Intellectual property theft attributed to China is estimated to cost between $250 billion and $600 billion annually in losses for the United States; this has implications for GDP growth as well as research investment according to Gooden’s office. Senator Rick Scott is sponsoring similar legislation in the Senate.
Gooden has represented Texas’ 5th district since replacing Jeb Hensarling in 2019 according to his official biography. He previously served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2017 until his election to Congress in 2019.
In recent elections for Texas’s 5th District seat in Congress: In 2024 he defeated Ruth Torres with approximately sixty-four percent of votes; in 2022 he won against Tartisha Hill with sixty-four percent; in 2020 he defeated Carolyn Salter with sixty-two percent; and in his first race for Congress in 2018 he beat Dan Wood with over sixty-two percent according to official election results.
