The Select: A Weekly Committee Recap (Week of 1/16)

January 23, 2024

'Victory for Democracy' - Chairman Gallagher reacts to Taiwan's election

WATCH: “The success of Taiwan’s election really demolishes the CCP’s claim to speak for all people of Chinese heritage. So it’s time for us here in America, inspired by Taiwan’s bravery, to stand up to communist aggression.”- Chairman Gallagher

Following the successful elections in Taiwan, Chairman Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi released the below joint statement.

"We want to offer our congratulations to the people of Taiwan on their successful, free, and fair elections. Taiwan stands as a gleaming representation of a flourishing democracy and a symbol of bravery in the face of near-constant authoritarian pressure.

We want to further congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his victory in the presidential election, as well as the lawmakers and candidates from all parties for their victories in Taiwan’s legislative body. We look forward to working with President-elect Lai and continuing to build a strong U.S.-Taiwan partnership.

Finally, we want to express our gratitude and appreciation for President Tsai Ing-wen’s eight years in office. President Tsai has been a proven friend to the United States, and we wish her well in all future endeavors.

During this transition period and into President-elect Lai’s forthcoming term in office, the United States will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our friends in Taiwan."

'Chairman Gallagher and Select Committee Members meet with Taiwan Ambassador'

LAST THURSDAY: Chairman Gallagher and members of the Select Committee met with new Taiwan Ambassador Yui.They emphasized manipulation by TikTok in Taiwan’s recent elections and the strong partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan, one committed to defense against the CCP threat.

'Inquiry launched into US taxpayer dollars funneled to CCP-backed researcher'

Last Wednesday, Chairman Gallagher and four other lawmakers launched an investigation into taxpayer grants given to an AI scientist at UCLA with deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

They wrote, “Mr. Zhu has openly discussed how if China takes the lead in developing a ‘truly universal intelligence,’ then it will ‘become the winner of the international technology competition.’ He has also referred to the AI race as being equivalent in military importance to the race for the atomic bomb. In a period of intensifying geopolitical competition with the CCP, ceasing federal government support for Chinese AI development is a critical national security imperative.”

CLICK HERE to read the letter to UCLA Chancellor Gener Block.

CLICK HERE to read the letter to NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan.

CLICK HERE to read the letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

'Gallagher warns US Navy Plan to relocate fuel from Hawaii could jeopardize operations in the Indo-Pacific'

On Thursday, Chairman Gallagher wrote to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, expressing concern about the lack of a clear plan for storing and distributing fuel for American forces operating across the Indo-Pacific. In 2022, DoD ordered the Red Hill fuel storage facility in Hawaii to be defueled due to leaks that contaminated the drinking water on the island of Oahu. Red Hill previously stored up to 250 million gallons of fuel that could support American forces in the Indo-Pacific. It remains unclear how the Navy will replace Red Hill’s capacity and redistribute fuel in the region, a growing risk as the Chinese military threat to Taiwan grows.

Chairman Gallagher writes, “Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight Eisenhower once stated, ‘You will not find it difficult to prove that battles, campaigns, and even wars have been won or lost primarily because of logistics...' [W]hile the Pentagon has publicly stated that it ‘has taken actions to reposition fuel within the theater,’ it is unclear whether any such actions are adequate to support contingency operations and present long-term solutions for bulk fuel availability for force mobility and power projection in the region.”

View Chairman Gallagher's letter to the Navy Secretary HERE

'ABB's China operations under investigation by US Congress'

On Thursday, Chairman Gallagher, Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), and Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), deepened their joint investigation into security vulnerabilities in the U.S. maritime sector, particularly relating to CCP cybersecurity and supply chain risks.

In a letter addressed to the Swiss company ASEA Brown Boveri Ltd. (ABB), the members request public testimony from its U.S. Country Holding Officer, Michael Gray, regarding the company’s relationship with the Chinese state-owned enterprise, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC). In July, the Committee sent a private letter to ABB concerning these security risks. The concerns raised in the letter were not properly addressed by the company.