America should seize the assets of Chinese businesses in the U.S. as recourse for those who have suffered as a consequence of the "Wuhan" coronavirus, according to Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
"Instead of bailing out Chinese businesses in the United States, we should seize their assets and put them in receivership to pay damages to Americans who have suffered as a consequence of the Wuhan virus," Gaetz said Sunday on Fox News' "The Next Revolution."
"Here's how we do it: First, we pass the Dan Crenshaw, Tom Cotton legislation to make China financially responsible for the damages they've caused," Gaetz said.
"And then, when the lawsuits are ultimately filed to hold China accountable, you don't just let them continue to operate their assets and their businesses in the United States."
"You use the judicial process to put all of that in receivership," he said.
"That'll get China's attention. That'll hold them accountable. That will make the American people whole."
Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, in mid-April introduced a bill allowing Americans to sue China in federal court to "recover damages for death, injury, and economic harm caused" by the coronavirus.
Cotton and Crenshaw claim China covered up the virus by silencing doctors and journalists who tried to warn the world about COVID-19.
"Their decision to cover up the virus led to thousands of needless deaths and untold economic harm," Cotton said. "It's only appropriate that we hold the Chinese government accountable for the damage it has caused."
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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