U.S. Congressmen Urge Sanctions Against Chinese Communist Party Officials for Human Rights Abuses and Pandemic Contribution

U.S. Congressman Jim Banks, along with Representatives Dan Crenshaw and Lance Gooden, sent a letter to Secretaries Mike Pompeo and Steven Mnuchin urging them to impose Magnitsky sanctions on seven Chinese Communist Party officials for gross human rights abuses and their role in exacerbating the COVID-19 pandemic. The move comes after the Chinese regime publicly threatened severe consequences for the lawmakers' efforts to hold them accountable. The U.S. officials have stated that the Chinese Communist Party's actions are not only a threat to the upcoming elections but also a desperate attempt to avoid responsibility for the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

• The U.S. Congressmen, including Reps. Jim Banks, Dan Crenshaw, and Lance Gooden, have sent a letter to Secretaries Pompeo and Mnuchin urging the imposition of Magnitsky sanctions on seven Chinese Communist Party officials.
• The sanctions are aimed at punishing those who conduct gross human rights abuses and benefit from corruption, including those responsible for downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic and suppressing voices that rang the alarms.
• Rep. Jim Banks has introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives making the Chinese government responsible for the current pandemic, with 54 co-sponsors.
• Rep. Banks was the first lawmaker to suggest that China should pay reparations for the damage being done to individual lives and the U.S. economy.
• The Chinese Communist Party's actions are seen as a threat to the upcoming elections and a desperate attempt to avoid responsibility for the pandemic.
• Secretary Pompeo has stated that the Chinese Communist Party understands the risk they have put on their own nation and has warned that they will strike out once they know they have done things wrong.

Statistics:

• 7 Chinese Communist Party officials have been identified as potential targets for Magnitsky sanctions.
• 54 co-sponsors have signed a resolution introduced by Rep. Jim Banks making the Chinese government responsible for the current pandemic.
• The Chinese government holds $1 trillion in U.S. debt.
• Rep. Banks has suggested that China should pay reparations for the damage being done to individual lives and the U.S. economy.

Sources:

• Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03)
• Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) and Lance Gooden (R-TX)
• Global Times, a state-owned propaganda outlet
• Breitbart Radio
• State Department