Young’s bipartisan bill seeks intelligence report on Chinese influence

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) on Sept. 19 offered bipartisan legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress on the purpose, scope and means of expanded Chinese influence in international organizations.

“As the world leaders gather at the United Nations this week, it is a chance for the United States to reassert our strong commitment to multilateral engagement,” Sen. Young said. “China is taking an aggressive stance at the UN to seize as much authority as others will allow.”

Sen. Young sponsored S. 2528 with bill cosponsor U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to require intelligence reports on Chinese objectives, tactics and influence in international organizations.

“We must protect our interests while ensuring China is acting for the benefit of the UN and all of its members,” said Sen. Young, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy.

“We need the intelligence community to take a close look at these concerns and make sure we know where we stand,” the senator said. “We can’t be asleep at the wheel as the host country and largest donor to the United Nations.”

S. 2528 would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit its report to Congress not later than 180 days after the date of enactment, according to the text of the bill.