What This Bill Does
This bill creates a temporary group called the China Grand Strategy Commission. The commission will develop a plan for how the United States should work with China. The plan will help all U.S. government departments and agencies follow the same approach toward China.
Who It Affects
- U.S. government officials and agencies (State Department, Defense Department, Treasury Department, Commerce Department, National Intelligence Office)
- Members of Congress appointed to the commission
- Outside experts appointed to the commission
- Federal employees who may be assigned to help the commission
Key Provisions
- The commission must have 19 members total, including six government officials, four members of Congress, and nine outside experts with China expertise (Sec. 1(b))
- A Democrat and a Republican will serve as co-chairpersons, selected by agreement between the President and Congress leaders (Sec. 1(b))
- The commission must submit a final report to Congress and other leaders by September 1, 2025 (Sec. 1(j))
- The commission will automatically end 120 days after submitting its final report (Sec. 1(k))
- $5,000,000 is authorized to fund the commission from the Defense Department budget (Sec. 1(n))
What Changes
If this bill becomes law, the government will create a new temporary commission focused on China policy. The commission will study U.S. relationships with China and make recommendations. Federal agencies must help the commission by providing information and support.
Important Definitions
The bill does not provide explicit definitions for "grand strategy" or "stable international order." Instead, it directs the commission itself to define these terms as they relate to U.S. national security interests and China policy (Sec. 1(f)(2)).
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text. The bill states commission members must be appointed within 45 days after the bill becomes law and the first meeting must occur within 60 days after the bill becomes law (Sec. 1(c)).
II
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. 863
To establish a temporary commission to develop a consensus and actionable
recommendations on a comprehensive grand strategy with respect to
the United States relationship with the People’s Republic of China for
purposes of ensuring a holistic approach toward the People’s Republic
of China across all Federal departments and agencies.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MARCH 16, 2023
Mr. KING (for himself, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. KAINE, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. CARPER,
Ms. HIRONO, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. YOUNG, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr.
BLUMENTHAL, Mr. MANCHIN, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. ROUNDS, Ms. MUR-
KOWSKI, and Mr. SULLIVAN) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To establish a temporary commission to develop a consensus
and actionable recommendations on a comprehensive
grand strategy with respect to the United States relation-
ship with the People’s Republic of China for purposes
of ensuring a holistic approach toward the People’s Re-
public of China across all Federal departments and agen-
cies.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
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•S 863 IS
SECTION 1. CHINA GRAND STRATEGY COMMISSION.
1
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
2
mission, to be known as the ‘‘China Grand Strategy Com-
3
mission’’ (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Commis-
4
sion’’), to develop a consensus on a comprehensive grand
5
strategy and whole-of-government approach with respect
6
to the United States relationship with the People’s Repub-
7
lic of China for purposes of—
8
(1) ensuring a holistic approach toward the
9
People’s Republic of China across all Federal de-
10
partments and agencies;
11
(2) defining specific steps necessary to build a
12
stable international order that accounts for the Peo-
13
ple’s Republic of China’s participation in that order;
14
and
15
(3) providing actionable recommendations with
16
respect to the United States relationship with the
17
People’s Republic of China, which are aimed at pro-
18
tecting and strengthening United States national se-
19
curity interests.
20
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
21
(1) COMPOSITION.—
22
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall
23
be composed of the following members:
24
(i) The Deputy National Security Ad-
25
visor.
26
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•S 863 IS
(ii) The Deputy Secretary of Defense.
1
(iii) The Deputy Secretary of State.
2
(iv) The Deputy Secretary of the
3
Treasury.
4
(v) The Deputy Secretary of Com-
5
merce.
6
(vi) The Principal Deputy Director of
7
National Intelligence.
8
(vii) Three members appointed by the
9
majority leader of the Senate, in consulta-
10
tion with the chairperson of the Committee
11
on Armed Services of the Senate, one of
12
whom shall be a Member of the Senate and
13
two of whom shall not be.
14
(viii) Three members appointed by the
15
minority leader of the Senate, in consulta-
16
tion with the ranking member of the Com-
17
mittee on Armed Services of the Senate,
18
one of whom shall be a Member of the
19
Senate and two of whom shall not be.
20
(ix) Three members appointed by the
21
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
22
in consultation with the chairperson of the
23
Committee on Armed Services of the
24
House of Representatives, one of whom
25
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•S 863 IS
shall be a Member of the House of Rep-
1
resentatives and two of whom shall not be.
2
(x) Three members appointed by the
3
minority leader of the House of Represent-
4
atives, in consultation with the ranking
5
member of the Committee on Armed Serv-
6
ices of the House of Representatives, one
7
of whom shall be a Member of the House
8
of Representatives and two of whom shall
9
not be.
10
(B) QUALIFICATIONS.—The members de-
11
scribed in clauses (vii) through (x) of subpara-
12
graph (A) who are not Members of Congress
13
shall be individuals who are nationally recog-
14
nized and have well-documented expertise,
15
knowledge, or experience in—
16
(i) the history, culture, economy, or
17
national security policies of the People’s
18
Republic of China;
19
(ii) the United States economy;
20
(iii) the use of intelligence information
21
by national policymakers and military lead-
22
ers;
23
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•S 863 IS
(iv) the implementation, funding, or
1
oversight of the foreign and national secu-
2
rity policies of the United States; or
3
(v) the implementation, funding, or
4
oversight of economic and trade policies of
5
the United States.
6
(C) AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICTS OF INTER-
7
EST.—An official who appoints members of the
8
Commission may not appoint an individual as a
9
member of the Commission if such individual
10
possesses any personal or financial interest in
11
the discharge of any of the duties of the Com-
12
mission.
13
(2) CO-CHAIRPERSONS.—
14
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall
15
have two co-chairpersons, selected from among
16
the members of the Commission, of whom—
17
(i) one co-chairperson shall be a mem-
18
ber of the Democratic Party; and
19
(ii) one co-chairperson shall be a
20
member of the Republican Party.
21
(B) CONSENSUS.—The individuals selected
22
to serve as the co-chairpersons of the Commis-
23
sion shall be jointly agreed upon by the Presi-
24
dent, the majority leader of the Senate, the mi-
25
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•S 863 IS
nority leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the
1
House of Representatives, and the minority
2
leader of the House of Representatives.
3
(c) APPOINTMENT; INITIAL MEETING.—
4
(1) APPOINTMENT.—Members of the Commis-
5
sion shall be appointed not later than 45 days after
6
the date of the enactment of this Act.
7
(2) INITIAL MEETING.—The Commission shall
8
hold its initial meeting on or before the date that is
9
60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
10
(d) MEETINGS; QUORUM; VACANCIES.—
11
(1) IN GENERAL.—After its initial meeting, the
12
Commission shall meet upon the call of the co-chair-
13
persons of the Commission.
14
(2) QUORUM.—Ten members of the Commis-
15
sion shall constitute a quorum for purposes of con-
16
ducting business, except that two members of the
17
Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes
18
of receiving testimony.
19
(3) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the Commis-
20
sion shall not affect its powers, and shall be filled
21
in the same manner in which the original appoint-
22
ment was made.
23
(4) QUORUM
WITH
VACANCIES.—If vacancies
24
on the Commission occur on any day after the date
25
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•S 863 IS
that is 45 days after the date of the enactment of
1
this Act, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the
2
members of the Commission as of such day.
3
(e) ACTIONS OF COMMISSION.—
4
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall act by
5
resolution agreed to by a majority of the members
6
of the Commission voting and present.
7
(2) PANELS.—The Commission may establish
8
panels composed of less than the full membership of
9
the Commission for purposes of carrying out the du-
10
ties of the Commission under this section. The ac-
11
tions of any such panel shall be subject to the review
12
and control of the Commission. Any findings and de-
13
terminations made by such a panel shall not be con-
14
sidered to be the findings and determinations of the
15
Commission unless approved by the Commission.
16
(3) DELEGATION.—Any member, agent, or staff
17
member of the Commission may, if authorized by the
18
co-chairpersons of the Commission, take any action
19
that the Commission is authorized to take pursuant
20
to this section.
21
(f) DUTIES
OF COMMISSION.—The duties of the
22
Commission are as follows:
23
(1) To define the core objectives and priorities
24
of the strategy described in subsection (a).
25
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•S 863 IS
(2) To provide definitions of the terms ‘‘grand
1
strategy’’ and ‘‘stable international order’’ as such
2
terms relate to United States national security inter-
3
ests and policy toward the People’s Republic of
4
China.
5
(3) To recommend steps toward a stable inter-
6
national order that includes the People’s Republic of
7
China that accounts for the People’s Republic of
8
China’s participation in that order.
9
(4) To consider the manner in which the United
10
States and the allies and partners of the United
11
States cooperate and compete with the People’s Re-
12
public of China and to identify areas for such co-
13
operation and competition.
14
(5) To consider methods for recalibrating eco-
15
nomic ties with the People’s Republic of China, and
16
any necessary modifications to such ties that may be
17
undertaken by the United States Government.
18
(6) To consider methods for recalibrating addi-
19
tional non-economic ties with the People’s Republic
20
of China, and any necessary modifications to such
21
ties to be undertaken by the United States Govern-
22
ment, including research, political, and security ties.
23
(7) To understand the linkages across multiple
24
levels of the Federal Government with respect to
25
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•S 863 IS
United States policy toward the People’s Republic of
1
China.
2
(8) To seek to protect and strengthen global de-
3
mocracy and democratic norms.
4
(9) To understand the history, culture, and
5
goals of the People’s Republic of China and to con-
6
sider the manner in which the People’s Republic of
7
China defines and seeks to implement its goals.
8
(10) To review—
9
(A) the strategies and intentions of the
10
People’s Republic of China that affect United
11
States national and global interests;
12
(B) the purpose and efficacy of current
13
programs for the defense of the United States;
14
and
15
(C) the capabilities of the Federal Govern-
16
ment for understanding whether, and the man-
17
ner in which, the People’s Republic of China is
18
currently being deterred or thwarted in its aims
19
and ambitions, including in cyberspace.
20
(11) To detail and evaluate current United
21
States policy and strategic interests, including the
22
pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, with
23
respect to the People’s Republic of China, and the
24
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•S 863 IS
manner in which United States policy affects the
1
policy of the People’s Republic of China.
2
(12) To assess the manner in which the inva-
3
sion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation may have
4
impacted the People’s Republic of China’s calcula-
5
tions on an invasion of Taiwan and the implications
6
of such impact on the prospects for short-term, me-
7
dium-term, and long-term stability in the Taiwan
8
Strait.
9
(13) In evaluating options for such strategy, to
10
consider possible structures and authorities that
11
need to be established, revised, or augmented within
12
the Federal Government to maintain United States
13
national security interests in relation to policy to-
14
ward the People’s Republic of China.
15
(g) POWERS OF COMMISSION.—
16
(1) HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE.—The Commis-
17
sion or, as delegated by the co-chairpersons of the
18
Commission, any panel or member thereof, may, for
19
the purpose of carrying out this section—
20
(A) hold such hearings and sit and act at
21
such times and places, take such testimony, re-
22
ceive such evidence, and administer such oaths
23
as the Commission, or such designated panel or
24
designated member, considers necessary; and
25
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•S 863 IS
(B) subject to paragraph (2), require, by
1
subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and tes-
2
timony of such witnesses and the production of
3
such books, records, correspondence, memo-
4
randa, papers, and documents, as the Commis-
5
sion or such designated panel or designated
6
member considers necessary.
7
(2) SUBPOENAS.—
8
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subpoenas may be
9
issued under paragraph (1)(B) under the signa-
10
ture of the co-chairpersons of the Commission,
11
and may be served by any person designated by
12
such co-chairpersons.
13
(B) FAILURE TO COMPLY.—The provisions
14
of sections 102 through 104 of the Revised
15
Statutes (2 U.S.C. 192–194) shall apply in the
16
case of any failure of a witness to comply with
17
any subpoena or to testify when summoned
18
under authority of this section.
19
(3) CONTRACTS.—The Commission may, to
20
such extent and in such amounts as are provided in
21
advance in appropriations Acts, enter into contracts
22
to enable the Commission to discharge its duties
23
under this section.
24
(4) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
25
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•S 863 IS
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may
1
secure directly from any executive department,
2
agency, bureau, board, commission, office, inde-
3
pendent establishment, or instrumentality of the
4
Government
information,
suggestions,
esti-
5
mates, and statistics for the purposes of this
6
section.
7
(B)
FURNISHING
INFORMATION.—Each
8
such department, agency, bureau, board, com-
9
mission, office, establishment, or instrumen-
10
tality shall, to the extent authorized by law, fur-
11
nish such information, suggestions, estimates,
12
and statistics directly to the Commission, upon
13
request made by a co-chairperson of the Com-
14
mission.
15
(C) HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED INFORMA-
16
TION.—The Commission shall handle and pro-
17
tect all classified information provided to it
18
under this section in accordance with applicable
19
law.
20
(5) ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
21
(A
[Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]