House Republicans announced Thursday they will form a GOP-led task force to examine “a wide range of China-related issues,” including the origins of the coronavirus.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the panel will be headed by House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Michael McCaul of Texas and will investigate China’s “influence operations targeting the U.S., including our universities, think tanks, and media outlets, economic threats to our government and our allies, efforts to gain the technological advantage, and role in the origin and spread of COVID-19.”
McCarthy said the task force will be run by Republicans, but Democrats can also join. The panel will produce “a comprehensive report with legislative recommendations.”
McCarthy has appointed top lawmakers from a variety of committees to serve on the panel. The list includes Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, Darrin Lahood of Illinois, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Elise Stefanik of New York, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Jim Banks of Indiana, Michael Waltz of Florida, and Chris Stewart of Utah.
Democrats haven’t announced whether they’ll participate. McCarthy said the party once agreed to participate in a China panel, but “a few months ago, they said no.”
