In a bold move to hold China accountable for violating U.S. trade laws, House Republicans led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to approve a resolution nullifying Biden’s decision to protect Chinese solar manufacturers from U.S. tariffs. The resolution, which passed with 209 Republican and 12 Democrat votes in favor, aims to protect the fledgling U.S. solar industry that is dwarfed by the Chinese industry.
“Joe Biden’s decision to protect Communist China’s solar manufacturers from U.S. tariffs is another demonstration of weakness from an already spineless administration,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“House Republicans are continuing to lead where the White House has failed in holding China accountable by working across the aisle to nullify this absurd rule,” he continued.
The move comes after Biden implemented a 24-month moratorium on the enforcement of solar panel anti-circumvention tariffs introduced under the Obama administration to protect U.S. companies.
Although the White House characterized the move as a two-year “bridge” that would allow companies to build solar panel production capabilities on U.S. soil, the Commerce Department said months earlier that it would investigate whether Chinese manufacturers were routing solar panels through countries in Southeast Asia to avoid U.S. tariffs.
The House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., requested a roll call vote, a measure usually requested by the minority, after the resolution passed via voice vote. Twelve members didn’t participate in the vote.
The Commerce Department is expected to release its final findings in May. Still, the White House vowed earlier this week that Biden would veto the legislation if it made it to his desk regardless of the findings, though House Democratic leadership opted against recommending how members vote.
With every passing month, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gets closer to dominating the solar market, making it harder for Americans to compete, said Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., in a statement to Fox News Digital after the vote.
“The United States can and should focus its resources on developing our capability to manufacture quality solar products and boosting American competitiveness around the world and I want to thank my colleagues for advancing this important bipartisan legislation,” added Posey.
The Senate is expected to hold a floor vote next week on companion legislation introduced by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and sponsored by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Several Democratic senators have already come out in support of the resolution, proving that this is not a partisan issue, but rather a matter of protecting American jobs and industries.
