Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) actively participated in a recent hearing conducted by the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, titled “National Security Challenges: Outpacing China in Emerging Technology.” The event, which took place last week, featured key witnesses including Emily Kilcrease, Director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security; Jamil Jaffer, Founder and Executive Director of the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School; and Lindsay Gorman, Senior Fellow for Emerging Technologies for The Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund.
Senator Britt initiated the discussion by addressing the escalating threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to American innovation, research, and technology. She highlighted the alarming frequency of new China-related counterintelligence cases, revealing that the FBI opens such cases approximately every 10 hours. Senator Britt emphasized the CCP’s activities, not only in stealing American innovation and technology but also in supporting Iran and acquiring U.S. farmland.
During the hearing, Senator Britt expressed concerns about BRICS, an intergovernmental organization that includes China as a founding member. She drew attention to the significant interest shown by 22 countries in joining BRICS, deeming it “startling.” Jamil Jaffer concurred with Senator Britt, asserting that the U.S. has not done enough to address the potential national security implications of BRICS expanding its global influence.
The following is a transcript excerpt of Senator Britt’s remarks and a subsequent exchange with Jamil Jaffer:
BRITT: (Addressing Jamil Jaffer) “Mr. Jaffer, as a former staffer to a former staffer, welcome.”
BRITT: (Discussing the CCP) “They have aided and abetted Iran evading U.S. sanctions and are actively stealing U.S. technology and intellectual property across whole sectors of our economy – from artificial intelligence, to computing, to robotics, to biology, and beyond.”
BRITT: (Regarding FBI statistics) “The stakes could not be higher. We must act now to mitigate the ongoing economic harm happening to hardworking American families, Main Street small businesses, budding entrepreneurs, and critical industries.”
BRITT: (On CCP buying U.S. land) “That’s why I’m proud to have joined Senator Tom Cotton in introducing the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, and I continue to [urge] my colleagues to join us in this effort.”
Jaffer acknowledged the need for more aggressive measures to deter China, both in cyberspace and economically. He highlighted gaps in the current toolbox, stressing the importance of broader authorities to push back against Chinese actions.
Senator Britt further addressed concerns about BRICS, emphasizing the lack of adequate examination of its consequences and calling for action to counter its influence.
The article also references Senator Britt’s ongoing efforts to hold the CCP accountable, her cosponsorship of relevant legislation, and her commitment to combatting aggression from the CCP.
Senator Britt’s active involvement in the Senate Banking Committee underscores her dedication to addressing national security challenges and protecting American interests in the face of emerging technological threats.
