Moolenaar named chairman of House China committee

U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) is taking the reins of a select panel charged with investigating the threats posed to the United States by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Monday named Rep. Moolenaar chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, officially titled the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the CCP and sometimes called “the China committee.”

“John Moolenaar will be an exceptional chairman for the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. His leadership experience in the private and public sectors, his academic background, and his principled service in Congress have earned John the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” said Rep. Johnson. “Our country, our economy, and our national security will be well-served by his wisdom and guidance in the ongoing work of this critical select committee.”

“I am thankful to the Speaker for this appointment, and I look forward to working with Ranking Member [Raja] Krishnamoorthi, the members of the Select Committee, House leaders, and the standing committees in the weeks and months ahead,” Rep. Moolenaar said. “Together, we can help our country prepare for the challenges we face from the Chinese Communist Party and win the competition against the CCP.”

The House Select Committee on the CCP, created in January 2023, has been investigating cyberthreats and economic aid provided by China or its ruling party to counter American interests, as well as purported ties between U.S. business interests and their overseas partners with the CCP.

Rep. Moolenaar replaces U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who last week announced that he would step down from his seat next month, leaving the GOP with a one-seat advantage in the House. Rep. Gallagher said Rep. Moolenaar would serve the committee well.

“John understands the grave military, economic, and ideological threat posed by the CCP and will continue to advance an agenda that will best position our country to fight and win the strategic competition between the United States and our nation’s foremost adversary, the Chinese Communist Party,” Rep. Gallagher said.

Rep. Moolenaar also praised Rep. Gallagher, calling him “an incredible leader for our country as a member of the military, and as a member of Congress, where he was instrumental in creating the Select Committee.” 

“His selfless and faithful stewardship of the Select Committee has been a tremendous success and benefited the American people,” added Rep. Moolenaar.