Senate committee passes bill to allow people to sue China for COVID-19 related damages

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved legislation that would allow people to file lawsuits against China in federal court over damages resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is clear to me that the Chinese Communist Party deceived the world and manipulated information about coronavirus, committee chairman Lindsey Graham said. "China restricted travel within China to slow the spread, but allowed people from China to travel throughout the world increasing the spread."

"China was negligent in dealing with the origins of the virus and deceiving the world about the nature of the virus. Americans deserve their day in court," said Graham, a South Carolina Republican and bill cosponsor.

According to Johns Hopkins University there have been more than 4.46 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. and more than 151,000 deaths. The health crisis and related government restrictions have also had dramatic negative consequences across the U.S. economy.