Republicans backed President Joe Biden and his administration into a corner, forcing them to cancel a massive grant to a lithium-ion battery manufacturer linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
According to Breitbart, the $200 million grant was awarded during Biden's first year under his infrastructure legislation.
The president's Department of Energy (DOE) selected Microvast as one of 20 companies to receive the grant -- choosing it and others to ensure America is less reliant on China to produce the batteries.
As it turns out, Microvast isn't far removed from the CCP, and Republicans made sure the public was well aware of that fact.
Earlier this year, members of the Republican-led House penned a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, demanding to know why in the world the Biden administration would select Microvast as a recipient of the lucrative grant.
"If the goal of this funding is to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign entities for critical minerals, why would DOE award funding to a company with obvious ties to the CCP?" the GOP lawmakers asked.
The company's ties to China are no secret, as disclosed in SEC filings.
Breitbart noted in an earlier report:
Microvast is owned by holdings company Microvast Holdings Inc. In a December 14, 2021, filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Microvast Holdings Inc. stated, “A substantial portion of our facilities are currently located in the People’s Republic of China, which we refer to as the ‘PRC’ or ‘China,’” as Breitbart News previously reported.
I stood with my colleagues against @ENERGY awarding Microvast $200M in grant funding — that’s now canceled.
This is a MAJOR win for our hardworking taxpayers. https://t.co/ckFxVO2iJh pic.twitter.com/dS8uVINOWj
— Rep. Brandon Williams (@RepWilliams) May 23, 2023
Several Republican lawmakers were pleased with the decision to yank the grant, but many questioned why it took some six months to make that decision.
Senate Energy Committee Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY) was one of the Republican members of Congress who questioned the delay in canceling the contract for a company that is obviously controlled, at least in part, by the CCP.
“I’m stunned it took the Biden Administration this long to admit the obvious: no company beholden to Communist China should be considered for U.S. government grants or loans,” Barrasso said. “The administration should immediately reject other applicants with similar ties. It should also overhaul its grant making process and conduct due diligence before issuing press releases," Barrasso said.
Other Republican congressmen vowed to pursue answers.
Only time will tell if the Biden administration comes up with a valid reason as to why it took so long, but don't hold your breath.
