Fact Check: Did Democrats Block COVID Bill Amendment Keeping Money From China?

In the post-Trump era, Republicans are carrying forward a tough-on-China policy agenda that already is putting them at odds with their Democratic colleagues on major legislation.

The American Rescue Act, the COVID-19 relief package headed to the Senate, is no exception to conservatives' will to impose measures they see as preventing China from enjoying favors from the U.S.

The Claim

On Monday, users on Twitter called out Democrats for allegedly blocking an amendment to the COVID-19 stimulus bill that would have prevented China from receiving U.S. taxpayer funds.

The chatter stemmed from an article originally published by Breitbart, leading Republicans' supporters to question Democrats' loyalties.

The Facts

On February 26, Representative Andy Barr (R-Ky.) introduced an amendment before the House Rules Committee that aimed to prevent funds from being allocated to organizations connected to the Chinese government.

The bill had support from several other Republican lawmakers listed as co-sponsors.

"In no way should the [Chinese Communist Party] be able to further benefit from weaponizing the global supply chain and receive U.S. taxpayer funds," Barr said Friday. "My amendment ensures that none of the funding in this bill, and particularly none of the $10 billion in the International Affairs funding, goes to entities owned by the Chinese government or the CCP."

While there was no public information available on how the majority came to its decision, Barr's amendment was one of those dismissed by the Committee on Friday. No known funds for the stimulus package have been earmarked for organizations with known ties to the CCP to date.

Barr confirmed on social media that his amendment was voted down, adding that relief dollars should be protected from diversion to entities owned by the CCP.

"A relief bill should be targeted to help American workers and our economy. Not a liberal wishlist that is soft on China," Barr said.

The Ruling

True.

The Democratic majority voted no to a Republican amendment to the COVID-19 stimulus bill meant to block funds from going to entities with ties to the CCP.

No known funds for the stimulus package have been earmarked for organizations with known ties to the CCP to date.