Michele Bachmann - China
Summary
In June of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke out against recent hacks by Chinese sources into House computers. She stated that those attacked were both champions of human rights, and holders of sensitive information. She asked that President Bush carefully look into the incident.
In 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann cautioned President Obama against implementing a tariff on tires as being a possible catalyst for a trade war.
Congresswoman Bachmann has voted against the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, in favor of a resolution calling upon China to cease human rights violations, and in favor of a resolution to calling upon China to cease actions against Tibet.
Congresswoman Bachmann was also a co-sponsor of a resolution that the United States should resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan (the Republic of China).
Opposition to Chinese Hackers
In June of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her condemnation of hackers that had broken into US Congressional computers.
Bachmann Condemns Chinese Computer Hackers
Washington, D.C., Jun 12, 2008 -
Yesterday, U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) made the following statement in response to FBI reports that D.C. Congressional offices have had their computers hacked into by individuals from China:
"This recent crime by Chinese computer hackers is horrific. With complete disregard for the privacy of these offices, individuals stole the private information of American citizens and sought to sabotage our government. The Members of Congress who were victims of these acts have been long-time champions for human rights in China; this is not how they should be rewarded for their tireless efforts. Every day, Congressional offices deal with constituents’ privileged information and it is imperative that Congress work to protect our government and the people we represent from the future threat of computer hackers. I hope that President Bush remembers this incident when dealing with China in the future and that he carefully looks into this incident before sending sensitive security information technology to the Chinese."
Tariffs on Tires
In September of 2009, Congresswoman Bachman appeared on Fox Business and discussed a tariff on Chinese tires. She called upon President Obama to show restraint and to be careful not to start a trade war.
Michigan Economic Debate
On November 10, 2011 Congresswoman Bachmann participated in the Michigan economic debate. She discussed China at length.
BARTIROMO: Congresswoman Bachmann, weigh in here. How do you open the markets in China for American companies?
BACHMANN: Well, the Chinese have been bad actors. Recently we found out that they dumped counterfeit computer chips here in the United States. We're using some of those counterfeit computer chips in the Pentagon in some of our weapons systems. This has national security implications.
We also found out that the Chinese just finished building 3,000 miles of underground tunnels where they are housing some nuclear weapons. There's some very real consequences to the United States overspending to such an extent that we're in hock to them over a trillion dollars.
We've sent so much interest money over to the Chinese to pay our debts off that we effectively built their aircraft carrier. And by 2015, we will be sending so much interest money over, we will be paying for the entire People's Liberation Army of China, the number- one employer of the -- of the world.
What we need to do is stop enriching China with our money. And we do that by stop borrowing from them, by stop spending money that we don't have.
Voting Record
Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act
In September of 2010 the House voted on the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act to address the Chinese manipulation of currency. The bill passed the house 348-79. Michele Bachmann voted against the Currency Manipulation for fair Trade Act.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Currency Manipulation for fair Trade Act.
China - Human Rights Abuses
In July of 2008, the House voted on a resolution calling on the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens, to cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and to end its support for the Government of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere of freedom. The amendment passed 419-1. Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the resolution.
Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the resolution.
Resolution - China and Tibet
In April of 2008, the House voted on a resolution calling on the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to end its crackdown in Tibet and to enter into a substantive dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity, and fundamental freedom of all Tibetans. The amendment passed 413-1. Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the resolution on China and Tibet.
Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the resolution on China and Tibet.
Resolution - Financial Services
Calling on the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to remove barriers to United States financial services firms doing business in China. The resolution passed 401-4. Michele Bachmann cast a "No Vote"