House Oversight Committee launches wide-ranging investigation into Chinese efforts to infiltrate US

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced Thursday the launch of a government-wide investigation into China and its efforts to infiltrate and influence the United States. 

“Without firing a single bullet, the Chinese Communist Party is waging war against the U.S. by targeting, influencing, and infiltrating every economic sector and community in America,” Comer said.

“We know that this coordinated influence and infiltration campaign by the CCP threatens U.S. military readiness, the technology sector, financial markets, agriculture industry, education systems, and intellectual property.”

In recent years, elected officials across the United States have expressed concerns about the threat China poses, whether through its purchase of U.S. agricultural lands, acquiring American companies operating in key industries, exploiting the porous U.S.-Mexico border, and influencing public opinion through the popular social media app, TikTok, or through U.S. higher education.

Comer announced that his committee is sending letters to nine different federal agencies including the department of Justice, Agriculture and Drug Enforcement. The Kentucky Republican also announced he'll hold hearings on national security and China threats and seeking answers on what these agencies are doing to address such concerns.