PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Aug 6, 1998
Trading With the Communist Chinese Military Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to compile, publish, and update continuously a list of Communist Chinese military companies owned or controlled by the People's Liberation Army and operating directly or indirectly in the United States or any of its territories and possessions. Makes it unlawful for any person to serve as an officer, director, or other manager of any office or business in the United States or its territories or possessions that is owned, operated, or controlled by a Communist Chinese military company. Directs the President by regulation to require the closing and divestiture of such offices and businesses. Prohibits the importation into the United States of goods or services that are the growth, product, or manufacture of a Communist Chinese military company. Makes it unlawful for any U.S. person to: (1) make a loan or extend credit to any Communist Chinese military company; (2) acquire an ownership interest in such a company; or (3) export to such a company any item on the U.S. Munitions List. Exempts from the application of this Act any transaction which the President determines (and reports to the Congress) to involve the transfer of food, clothing, medicine, or emergency supplies intended to relieve human suffering. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Gephardt, Richard A. [D-MO-3] · D–MO
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Referred to House National Security
Referred to House Ways and Means
Referred to House International Relations
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on International Relations, Ways and Means, and National Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Commerce
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.4433 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.4433 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.4433 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.4433 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.