East Michigan News

Today, in Washington D.C., Chairman John Moolenaar and Representative Jimmy Panetta introduced a new legislative initiative known as the "No Limits Act." This proposal focuses on sanctioning Chinese entities that are perceived to aid Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. The bill targets dual-use technology, defense collaboration, and financial transactions that contribute to Russian military aggression.

Chairman Moolenaar emphasized the motivations behind the act, stating, "The Chinese Communist Party and Russia continue to collaborate in ways that threaten American security and global stability. The NO LIMITS Act strengthens our ability to hold Chinese entities accountable—especially those supporting Russia’s defense industry and technology sectors."

The bill sets a requirement for Chinese military firms operating in Russia to divest within 180 days or face U.S. sanctions. It attempts to close loopholes by expanding the Entity List to better capture Chinese subsidiaries attempting to evade these sanctions. Moolenaar believes these measures will be pivotal in countering the alliances forming between authoritarian regimes and in protecting American interests.

Rep. Panetta echoed these concerns by highlighting the broader implications, "China’s support for Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine is a serious threat to global stability and democratic values." He described the legislation as bipartisan, providing essential tools "to hold Chinese Communist Party entities accountable for enabling Russia’s aggression."

The bill includes key provisions that grant the U.S. government discretionary sanctions authority over PRC entities engaged with Russia's defense and technology sectors. It also extends sanctions to those involved in military modernization, cyber activities, and overseas arms sales. The legislation expands the definition of subsidiaries to prevent evasion of sanctions by affiliates of listed Russian and Chinese firms.

This legislative effort forms part of a larger committee strategy to counteract the Chinese Communist Party's growing ties with other authoritarian regimes, emphasizing the U.S. resolve to maintain national security vigilance.