U.S. senator defends China
A country growing into a respectable nation among other nations
CALIFORNIA, United States (China Daily) — A United States senator described China as a “respectable nation,” and that “it is a huge mistake” to allow American citizens to sue China over coronavirus damage as she defended the nation in a firm speech against a bill authorizing such a move.
“Where I live, we hold China as a potential trading partner, as a country that has pulled tens of millions of people out of poverty in a short period of time, and as a country growing into a respectable nation among other nations,” Senator Dianne Feinstein told her fellow lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Thursday.
“I deeply believe that. I’ve been to China a number of times. I’ve studied the issues… the United States has the most to lose by permitting civil lawsuits against China, for harms arising from COVID-19,” she added, referring to testimony from recent committee hearings.
Feinstein’s comment came as the judiciary panel convened Thursday to discuss the Civil Justice for Victims of Coronavirus Act, a bill introduced by Senator Martha McSally, which would allow US citizens to sue the Chinese government in federal court for damages stemming from the pandemic.
The proposed legislation, supported by some Republican politicians, including South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, passed with a 13-9 vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. It is on its way to the senate for consideration.