Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he is abandoning efforts to attach his $250 billion legislation aimed at countering China’s rise to the annual defense bill amid stiff opposition from House Democrats and Senate Republicans.
The decision is another twist in the drawn out journey through Congress of the China bill, which includes $52 billion in incentives and grants to foster semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. The bill passed the Senate in June by a wide bipartisan margin, but it’s been stuck in limbo as the House debated its own approach to bolstering U.S. competitiveness as China’s economic and diplomatic influence has grown.
Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, pointing to resistance from Senate Republicans, announced plans Wednesday night to negotiate a final bill addressing China that could pass both chambers.
