Hamadeh Unleashes Campaign Against Chinese Propaganda in U.S. House

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh has launched House Resolution 110, aimed at halting the distribution of China Daily, a newspaper funded by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in congressional offices. This initiative mirrors efforts from Senator Jim Banks, who previously raised concerns about the presence of this publication in the Capitol, claiming it serves as a channel for foreign propaganda. Hamadeh, supported by 14 Republican co-sponsors, seeks to ensure taxpayer-funded spaces are not used for disseminating such materials.

“The halls of Congress should never serve as a platform for foreign propaganda,” Hamadeh stated. He highlighted the risks associated with the CCP gaining access to U.S. institutions, calling for an end to their influence in Congress. His office’s press release emphasized the need to protect government buildings from foreign adversaries promoting their narratives.

Hamadeh’s urgency was evident in a post on X. He voiced frustration upon finding another issue of China Daily in his office, stating that anyone can recognize the newspaper as CCP-funded propaganda. “This has no business being disseminated in the halls of Congress,” he asserted, reinforcing the resolution’s purpose.

Furthering his strong stance, Hamadeh remarked, “Standing up to the CCP’s influence operations is a bipartisan national security priority.” He expressed appreciation for his colleagues joining the initiative to block what he considers an improper entry point for CCP communications.

In an interview with Jan Jekielek from the Epoch Times, Hamadeh drew a striking comparison to demonstrate the absurdity of allowing Chinese propaganda in U.S. legislative spaces. He suggested it would be analogous to the CCP distributing Voice of America materials within their own National People’s Congress. “What does that say about us as a government?” he questioned, highlighting a double standard in how foreign influence is perceived.

Reflecting on his past as an Intelligence Officer, Hamadeh emphasized the critical need for vigilance regarding adversarial actions. He underscored the importance of addressing threats to national security, declaring his commitment to defending the integrity of U.S. institutions.

In February 2020, a prior call for action against Chinese propaganda emerged when 35 Republican lawmakers urged then-Attorney General William Barr to investigate China Daily and classify it as a foreign agent. They argued that its role in spreading disinformation warranted scrutiny and action.

“We cannot allow a foreign dictatorship to use America’s legislative buildings to push their propaganda,” Hamadeh concluded. He called for a decisive congressional response to safeguard national security and uphold the integrity of governmental institutions.

Among the resolution’s cosponsors are freshman Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) and several other Republican representatives, indicating a growing concern among lawmakers regarding foreign influence in U.S. politics.

China Daily was contacted for comment but did not respond by the time of publication.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for updates or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.