Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Counter China's Global Military Basing Ambitions

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Darin LaHood, a member of the Select Committee on China, and Select Committee on China Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi have introduced the Combating PRC Overseas and Unlawful Networked Threats through Enhanced Resilience (COUNTER) Act of 2025. This legislation aims to develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to counter the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) growing military basing network. The bill requires the United States government to assess the risks posed by the CCP's global basing, identify priority locations of concern, and develop a strategy to counter the CCP's plans.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COUNTER Act of 2025 requires the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a full assessment of the risks posed by the CCP's global basing to U.S. and allied power projection and freedom of movement.
  • The legislation demands a coordinated, whole-of-government response to stop Beijing's basing ambitions and protect U.S. interests.
  • The bill identifies five priority locations of concern where the CCP is attempting to establish bases, assesses U.S. activities to counter those efforts, and develops a strategy to counter the CCP's global basing plans.
  • The COUNTER Act establishes an interagency task force to implement this strategy and proactively prevent the CCP from establishing new bases, including through joint response with U.S. allies.
  • The bill requires regular reviews and updates to ensure the U.S. response remains aligned with the evolving threat.

Statistics:

  • The Chinese Communist Party has expanded its global military footprint in recent years, opening and operating military facilities in the Indo-Pacific.
  • The CCP's growing network of bases enables the CCP's military to surveil and disrupt U.S. operations while undermining American influence in the region.
  • The COUNTER Act of 2025 requires the U.S. government to develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to counter the CCP's global basing network.

Sources:

  • [1] Congressman Darin LaHood's News Release, "LaHood, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Legislation to Confront the CCP's Global Basing Ambitions," July 16, 2025.
  • [2] Permalink: https://lahood.house.gov/2025/7/lahood-krishnamoorthi-introduce-legislation-to-confront-the-ccp-s-global-basing-ambitions
  • [3] Original text: https://lahood.house.gov/2025/7/lahood-krishnamoorthi-introduce-legislation-to-confront-the-ccp-s-global-basing-ambitions