Electric Bus Funds Granted To Chinese Firm, Big Donation Follows

The Biden-Harris administration’s Clean School Bus initiative is drawing criticism after federal funds were granted to a Chinese electric vehicle company, raising concerns about foreign influence on U.S. infrastructure. BYD Americas, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker BYD, received $395,000 from the program, and its top executive, Ke Li, later contributed $50,000 to the Harris campaign.

The revelation has sparked concerns about the ethics of awarding taxpayer money to foreign companies, especially those with ties to the Chinese government. Republicans, including Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), have raised alarm over the decision, arguing that the Clean School Bus program should prioritize American companies. Moolenaar stated, “We cannot be funding companies that may pose a risk to our national security.”

BYD, which has rapidly become the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the world, is already under investigation by Congress for potential espionage. Some lawmakers have also pointed out that the company’s success is built on substantial subsidies from the Chinese government, making its inclusion in U.S. infrastructure programs even more controversial.

The Clean School Bus program, introduced under the 2021 infrastructure bill, aims to reduce emissions by replacing diesel school buses with electric models. However, the recent funding to BYD has prompted renewed calls for oversight to ensure that American taxpayer money is not being used to support foreign adversaries.

Critics argue that this situation highlights the need for stricter rules on who can benefit from federal programs aimed at modernizing U.S. infrastructure.

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