CCP Act

To prohibit companies doing business in the United States from amplifying propaganda originating from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes. 1. Short titles This Act may be cited as the Combating Chinese Propaganda Act CCP Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Propaganda The term propaganda (2) United states company The term United States company Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 34 U.S.C. 41310(a) 3. Prohibition against companies doing business in the United States making public statements or taking actions at the behest of the Government of the People’s Republic of China (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for any United States company or foreign-owned company doing business in the United States from cooperating with any effort by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to coerce such company— (1) to make public statements through traditional media, social media, or advertising campaigns that reflect propaganda pushed by the Government of the People’s Republic of China; (2) to take other actions contrary to their fiduciary interests at the behest of the Government of the People’s Republic of China; or (3) to furnish personal information regarding Chinese dissidents to the Government of the People’s Republic of China. (b) Exceptions The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply to compliance with standard regulatory requirements imposed by the Government of the People’s Republic of China that are necessary to protect the health or safety of the general public. (c) Reporting requirement (1) In general Any United States company or foreign-owned company doing business in the United States shall report to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce each instance in which the Government of the People’s Republic of China has pressured such company to violate the prohibition under subsection (a). (2) Quarterly report The Secretary of Commerce shall submit a quarterly report to Congress that summarizes all of the incidents reported under paragraph (1) during such quarter. (d) Penalties (1) Civil penalty Any United States company or foreign-owned company that fails to comply with the reporting requirements set forth in subsection (c) shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to not more than $250,000. (2) Criminal penalty If any official of a United States company or foreign-owned company knowingly violates, or authorizes the violation of, subsection (a)— (A) the company shall be subject to a criminal penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for each such violation; and (B) such official may be imprisoned for not more than 20 years.

Summary: Combating Chinese Propaganda Act or the CCP Act This bill prohibits any company doing business in the United States from taking certain actions relating to the government of China. Specifically, such a company may not (1) make public statements that reflect Chinese government propaganda, except for statements required by a Chinese government regulation to protect health or safety; (2) take actions contrary to its fiduciary interests at the behest of the Chinese government; or (3) furnish personal information about Chinese dissidents to the Chinese government. Such a company shall report to the Department of State and Department of Commerce each instance in which the Chinese government attempted to pressure the company to take such prohibited actions. The bill imposes criminal monetary fines and imprisonment for a company or company official that knowingly violates these prohibitions.