Lance Gooden

China’s “goal of infiltrating U.S. climate narratives has blurred the lines of advocacy and philanthropy by creating indirect financial support routed through third-party groups to mask their origin and avoid public scrutiny,” reads the letter, obtained by the Washington Examiner. “In turn, lobbying efforts are steered to advance Chinese interests, such as promoting policies that increase U.S. dependence on Chinese green technology.”

The Republicans argue in the letter that China advocates the transition to clean energy in sectors where the communist country dominates, such as wind, solar, and electric vehicle technologies. It also mentions the Energy Foundation, which is a network of climate-focused organizations, alleging it took millions of dollars to fund climate initiatives in the U.S. while operating out of Beijing, going on to say that one of the groups engaged with the Biden administration frequently.

“The PRC’s covert interference in U.S. policy making poses an existential threat to the America First Agenda,” Gooden said in a statement. “American energy policy should be determined by the American people — not by CCP front groups disguised as environmental activists.”

EVERY HOUSE REPUBLICAN, BAR ONE, VOTES TO RELEASE EPSTEIN FILES

The lawmakers ask the DOJ to investigate the possible use of nongovernmental organizations for any signs of foreign influence regarding undisclosed foreign donations to U.S. climate advocacy groups, foreign-funded campaigns that have influenced federal or state decisions in the energy sector, violations of federal or state disclosure laws for political activities by foreign entities, and any coordination between nonprofit groups and foreign agents.