Congressman Opposes Biosecure Act Targeting Chinese Biotech Companies

Rep. Jim McGovern announced his opposition to the Biosecure Act, which targets Chinese biotech companies on national security grounds. He argues that there's no clear process for including companies in the bill and that WuXi Biologics is unfairly targeted. The Act is set for a House vote on Monday.

Rep. Jim McGovern, an influential Democratic congressman, revealed on Friday that he will vote against the Biosecure Act, legislation aimed at restricting business with Chinese biotech companies like WuXi Biologics and BGI over national security concerns.

McGovern, who represents Massachusetts and serves as the ranking member of the House Rules Committee, explained to Reuters that he is lobbying his colleagues to oppose the bill. He criticized the lack of transparency in how companies were included, particularly WuXi Biologics, which is building a facility in his district.

The Biosecure Act, slated for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, seeks to protect Americans' health data and pharmaceutical supply chains from foreign threats. However, McGovern, a well-known critic of China's human rights record, labeled the bill as "lousy" and expressed concerns over its rushed voting process.

(With inputs from agencies.)