Thread by @SenTedCruz

We are in the midst of a pandemic that has:
-Put 38 million Americans out of work
-Infected over 1.5 million Americans
-Claimed over 93,000 American lives

Where did this pandemic start? #China.

If the Chinese government had acted responsibly and sought the advice of public health professionals instead of silencing them, then it’s possible the #coronavirus could have been contained as a regional outbreak.

Instead, we are now dealing with a deadly pandemic.

In the US, China is trying to spread propaganda by:
1⃣Leveraging their enormous market access to coerce Americans into self-censorship
2⃣Purchasing access to cultural & educational centers

With both levers, Chinese officials have 1 objective: to shape what we see, hear & think.

Hollywood is afraid to stand up for free speech and is enabling the Chinese government's censorship practices.

That’s why today I’m introducing the SCRIPT Act, which would cut off Hollywood studios from US govt assistance if studios censor their films for screening in China.

The Chinese govt attempts to spread propaganda in the U.S. by simply buying media outlets, through convoluted schemes and cutouts.

Today I’m introducing the BEAMS Act to stop the CCP from using radio stations in Mexico or Canada to beam their propaganda into the United States.

Today I’m introducing legislation to sanction Chinese officials involved in the ongoing suppression of medical experts, journalists, and political dissidents, amid #China’s censorship of its citizens that is helping fuel the coronavirus pandemic.