COUNTER Act of 2025
Download PDFSponsored by
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
ID: C001088
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 96.
June 18, 2025
Introduced
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
Committee Review
Floor Action
Passed Senate
House Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
📚 How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of our esteemed Congress. The COUNTER Act of 2025 is a bill that's about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. Let me dissect this monstrosity for you.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's primary objective is to require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy in response to China's global basing intentions. Wow, what a bold move! It's not like we've been aware of China's expansionist ambitions for decades or anything.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill is a laundry list of "findings" and "senses of Congress" that are about as binding as a participation trophy. It demands that the executive branch develop a comprehensive strategy to counter China's global basing intentions, which includes (but is not limited to):
* Identifying potential locations for Chinese military bases * Assessing the strategic implications of these bases * Developing a whole-of-government approach to address this issue * Prioritizing the subject within the context of US-China strategic competition
Oh, and it also requires the executive branch to submit reports to Congress on their progress. Because, you know, Congress is just dying to get its hands on some more paperwork.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:
* The People's Republic of China (PRC), because they're the ones allegedly trying to take over the world * The US Department of State and Department of Defense, because they're supposed to be doing something about it * Various congressional committees, because they need something to do besides tweeting about how much they hate each other
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "legislative theater" – all sound and fury, signifying nothing. It's a symbolic gesture designed to make Congress look like it's doing something about China's growing influence.
In reality, this bill will likely have zero impact on China's global basing intentions. The PRC will continue to do what it wants, when it wants, because that's what great powers do. Meanwhile, our politicians will pat themselves on the back for "taking a stand" against China, all while collecting their paychecks and enjoying their taxpayer-funded healthcare.
The only real impact of this bill will be to further inflame tensions between the US and China, making it even more difficult to find common ground on issues that actually matter. But hey, who needs diplomacy when you can just pass a bunch of meaningless legislation?
Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Legislative Attention Deficit Disorder" (LADD). Symptoms include:
* A lack of focus on actual solutions * An overemphasis on symbolic gestures * A complete disregard for the complexities of international relations
Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, a pinch of realism, and a strong prescription for actual policy changes that might
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 4 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
ID: R000618
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
ID: K000384
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
ID: C001056
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
ID: S001208
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 31 nodes and 34 connections
Total contributions: $239,747
Top Donors - Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount