This legislation would move the U.S. dangerously closer to a proxy war against China. It passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a 17-5 margin. The only lawmakers who opposed the passage of the measure were Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
“This is not a time to radically change long-standing policy … without an appreciation of the consequences that may follow,” Sen. Paul said following the passage of the measure through committee.