With the midterm elections just a week away, House leadership is quietly determining the committee structure for the 120th Congress. Among the most consequential decisions is whether to continue the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
Since its creation under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the panel has become a rare example of bipartisan cooperation on technology transfer and security issues with Beijing. Its co-chairs from both parties operate under an investigative, recommendation-only mandate, and its reports have consistently earned unanimous or near-unanimous support. It stands as one of the few functional venues in Washington where Democrats and Republicans find common ground on China policy.
However, the committee's future is uncertain. Under House rules, select committees dissolve at the end of each session, so reauthorization is required. The panel was initially established in 2023 and renewed at the start of the current Congress, but its fate in the next session remains unclear, especially if Democrats take control of the House.
Ranking Member Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Punchbowl News that Democratic leadership might keep it, but added, "You'd have to ask them." Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who is expected to become Speaker if Democrats win, has not publicly indicated his position on the committee's future.
A lapse, even temporary, could stall momentum on export-control legislation at a critical moment in the AI race. Lawmakers have spent years debating policies on advanced semiconductor exports while trying to enforce security measures. Gaps remain, notably around open-source technologies like RISC-V, a chip architecture developed at Berkeley that allows hardware designers to build semiconductors without licensing fees. Beijing has leveraged this dual-use technology to advance its civilian and military capabilities.
Some lawmakers oppose the committee's continuation. Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) argues it fuels anti-Asian bigotry, and groups like Asian Americans Advancing Justice have warned of profiling risks. Rather than eliminating the panel, stronger oversight and leadership could address these concerns.
Leaders from both parties should publicly commit to reauthorizing the committee before organizing votes, ensuring it is renewed on the first day of the 120th Congress. Delaying action risks political gamesmanship, especially if the majority shifts, as Democrats are poised to flip the House.
The stakes are high. With rapid technological advancements and China's aggressive pursuit of capabilities, Congress cannot afford to pause export-control efforts. As midterm predictions show a tight race, the decision on this committee will shape U.S. competitiveness. Midterm fallout could also complicate year-end funding, but the China panel's fate remains a priority.
Hassan Tyler is a former foreign policy adviser for Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman.
