1. Short titles
This Act may be cited as the “Combating Chinese Propaganda Act” or the “CCP Act”.
Combating Chinese Propaganda Act
A BILL
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.
2. Definitions
In this Act:
Propaganda— The term propaganda means the propagation of an idea or narrative, especially of a biased or misleading nature that is intended to influence, promote, or publicize a particular cause or point of view.
United states company— The term United States company has the meaning given such term in section 4(a) of the 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
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—
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;
to take other actions contrary to their fiduciary interests at the behest of the Government of the People’s Republic of China; or
to furnish personal information regarding Chinese dissidents to the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
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.
Reporting requirement—
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).
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.
Penalties—
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.
Criminal penalty— If any official of a United States company or foreign-owned company knowingly violates, or authorizes the violation of, subsection (a)—
the company shall be subject to a criminal penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for each such violation; and
such official may be imprisoned for not more than 20 years.