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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned China’s retaliatory actions against the Houston Rockets and called on the American business community to resist Chinese Communist Party (CCP) coercion:

“The CCP’s threats and repression will not be tolerated in Texas, or anywhere in the United States. Using the consulate in Houston to attack an American citizen for exercising his constitutional right is an affront to our values. It is important for all of us to defend our rights so we can continue to express ourselves freely without fear of reprisal or intimidation.

“The CCP has again demonstrated its willingness to use every arm of the Chinese state to put political pressure on American companies; we cannot succumb to such brazen coercion.

“America stands with Hong Kongers in their struggle for freedom. We need to keep pushing back against the CCP’s repression in Hong Kong and around the world.  America is waking up to the reality China is not our friend but a growing threat.”

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