Texas Representative Introduces 'China Lied, People Died' Bill

Taking aim at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Texas Representative Troy Nehls (R) has introduced bill H.R.566. The bill, also known as “China Lied, People Died”, intends to “prohibit the availability of Federal funds for programs, projects, or activities in the People's Republic of China until amounts made available for COVID-19 relief in the United States have been reimbursed, and for other purposes.”

Rep. Troy Nehls made his feelings toward China’s alleged actions clear, stating, “My first order of business this Congress is holding China accountable. The Chinese Communist Party is singlehandedly responsible for the loss of a million lives in the United States and causing one of the worst economic disasters in the history of our country.”

The state of Texas alone has faced 93,006 deaths related to COVID-19, second behind only California with 99,875, and followed by Florida with 84,605 deaths.

Nehls’s new bill comes during a time in which Republican House members are ever-focused on investigating China. One of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's (R) new House Committees contains a specific committee dedicated to looking into the alleged crimes of the CCP and possibly holding them accountable. For Nehls, this means requiring China to pay a monetary price to the U.S. Government as a means of retribution. 

The Representative stated, “With a Republican majority, we will work to force the CCP to pay back the $4.6 trillion in Congressionally appropriated funds, as well as the $16 trillion of American taxpayer dollars that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The new bill H.R.566, however, has a long way to go in order to reach President Joe Biden's (D) office to be signed into law. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that it passes the Republican-controlled House and majority Democrat Senate floor.

Nehl's bill comes on the heels of Florida Rep. Cory Mills announcing that he would look to file legislation to help prevent the Chinese from buying up American farmland. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already instructed his state's legislature to write legislation to push back against the CCP's effort to buy up American land.