Collins’ bill would permit sanctions against China for pandemic outbreak

U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) led two dozen Republicans in proposing a bill that would permit sanctions against the People’s Republic of China if the country is found to have obstructed or failed to cooperate in investigations related to the outbreak of COVID-19.

“While the Chinese Communist regime has inflicted harm on the U.S. for decades,” Rep. Collins said, “the coronavirus outbreak has shined a light on the urgent need to change course.”

Rep. Collins on May 14 sponsored the COVID-19 Accountability Act, H.R. 6863, with 24 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Steve Stivers (R-OH), and Troy Balderson (R-OH), to give the president authority to impose sanctions on China if it fails to cooperate with a full investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The Chinese Communist regime’s coverup of the coronavirus outbreak cost hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide and caused unfathomable harm to the global economy, and they must be held accountable,” said Rep. Collins. “By giving the president the authority to impose a wide range of sanctions on Chinese officials, the COVID-19 Accountability Act will guarantee China is held fully accountable for the worldwide devastation they’ve caused and will ensure the American people get the answers they deserve.”

The legislation would permit the president to impose a range of sanctions on China, including asset freezes, travel bans, visa revocations, restricting U.S. financial institutions from making loans to Chinese businesses, and prohibiting Chinese firms from being listed on American stock exchanges, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Collins’ office.

H.R. 6863 also would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate the Chinese pharmaceutical industry and would require the U.S. Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain Taiwan observer status at the World Health Organization, according to the bill summary.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on May 11 introduced the same-named companion bill, S. 3683, which has nine cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Todd Young (R-IN), and Martha McSally (R-AZ).