McCarthy unveils new GOP-led China task force

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthyThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Man with machete, swastika outside DNC HQ ahead of weekend Jan. 6 rally This week: Democrats kick off chaotic fall with Biden's agenda at stake GOP seeks Biden referendum over vaccine mandates MORE (R-Calif.) announced on Thursday the establishment of a Republican-led task force aimed at conducting probes and making recommendations to combat threats from China.

The California Republican cited China's failure to disclose information and spread of disinformation in the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak — which he feels could have played a critical role in preventing the pandemic — arguing investigations are warranted into the country’s actions.

“We have learned more about COVID, and one thing has become very clear: China's cover-up directly led to this crisis," McCarthy told reporters. “The Communist Party of China hid the seriousness of this disease, led a propaganda campaign blaming the U.S., used their supplies to exert influence and continue to refuse international experts to investigate what happened.

“It follows the same threatening pattern of behavior we have seen from the Chinese Communist Party for years, something that has long been a bipartisan consensus in Washington."

.@GOPLeader: "Today I'm announcing the Republican-led China Task Force, and I invite the Democrats to join with us." pic.twitter.com/0kY78qMqAv

— The Hill (@thehill) May 7, 2020

McCarthy said he previously worked with House Democratic leadership on constructing a bipartisan panel on China, but members across the aisle opted not to move forward during the final stages. He said he welcomes Democrats to participate in the minority’s panel.

“For more than a year I have worked with the leadership of the Democratic Party to put together a bipartisan committee on China with an equal number of Republicans and an equal number of Democrats. I did get to that agreement, we got to the point to actually name the individuals, so far that one reporter has actually wrote the story, but did not post it yet, before the Democrats pulled back a few months ago. Well, we cannot wait any longer,” he told reporters.

“The stakes are too high to sit idly by, which is why today I'm announcing the Republican-led China Task Force, and I invite the Democrats to join with us. There was one moment in time they said yes, a few months ago they said no. I'd say there was no more important time now to join with us together to work as one nation, as we face these challenges.”

The group — which will be led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaulMichael Thomas McCaulBlinken grilled in first hearing since Afghanistan withdrawal Sunday shows preview: Biden issues new vaccine mandates; House committee marks up .5T reconciliation bill Defense & National Security: The post-airlift evacuation struggle MORE (Texas) — will consist of GOP members who sit on committees that have jurisdiction over relations with China. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOvernight Energy & Environment — Effort to repeal Arctic refuge drilling advances McCarthy-allied fundraising group helps Republicans who voted to impeach Trump Democrats must stop using Jan. 6 committee to advance its witch hunt  MORE (Wyo.) and Reps. Jim Banks (Ind.), Andy BarrAndy BarrWorld Bank suspends aid to Afghanistan after Taliban takeover GOP lawmaker aims to block Taliban from accessing international funds Just 6.5 percent of rental aid has reached tenants, landlords: Treasury MORE (Ky.), John Curtis (Utah), Mike GallagherMichael (Mike) John GallagherBipartisan House group introduces legislation to set term limit for key cyber leader 20,000 Afghan evacuees housed at military bases in five states: report Absent Democrats give Republicans new opening on Afghanistan MORE (Wis.), Anthony GonzalezAnthony GonzalezMcCarthy-allied fundraising group helps Republicans who voted to impeach Trump Trump endorses GOP challenger to Upton over impeachment vote The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by AT&T - Supreme Court lets Texas abortion law stand MORE (Ohio), John JoyceJohn JoyceOvernight Health Care: CDC says it is safe for vaccinated people to unmask outdoors | White House: No decision yet on vaccine patent waiver | GOP doctors in Congress release video urging people to get vaccinated GOP doctors in Congress release video urging people to get vaccinated Biden signs supply chain order after 'positive' meeting with lawmakers MORE (Pa.), Adam KinzingerAdam Daniel KinzingerBlinken grilled in first hearing since Afghanistan withdrawal Sunday shows - Manchin says he won't vote for .5 trillion bill Kinzinger says GOP fundraising on vaccine mandates are 'playing on people's fear' MORE (Ill.), Darin LaHoodDarin McKay LaHoodUS must support Lebanon as it faces economic and political instability The case for improving America's research and experimentation tax credit To encourage innovation, Congress should pass two bills protecting important R&D tax provision MORE (Ill.), Guy ReschenthalerGuy ReschenthalerImproving college affordability for National Guardsmen and reservists GOP lawmakers voice frustrations with McCarthy Tapper battles GOP lawmakers over criticism of Afghan vet's Electoral College vote MORE (Pa.), Denver RigglemanDenver RigglemanHouse Democrats select Riggleman as Jan. 6 committee adviser Virginia Democrats seek to tie Youngkin to Trump's election claims The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Jan. 6 probe, infrastructure to dominate week MORE (Va.), Elise StefanikElise Marie StefanikGOP leader taking proxy voting fight to Supreme Court Former CIA officer announces candidacy for Stefanik's House seat In Afghanistan, President Biden had to play the losing hand his predecessors dealt him MORE (N.Y.), Chris StewartChris StewartTwo coaches charged with murder in basketball player's death after practice New mask guidelines trigger backlash It's time to call the 'Ghost Army' what they are: Heroes MORE (Utah) and Mike Waltz (Fla.) have also been named to the panel.

"They will be looking at a wide range of China-related issues, including influence operations targeting the U.S., including our universities, think tanks and media outlets, economic threats to our government and our allies, efforts to gain the technological advantage and role in the origin and spread of COVID-19,” McCarthy said.

The California Republican said he is also appointing GOP lawmakers to the newly established Democratic-led select committee on coronavirus despite previously having reservations.

The top Republican on the panel will be House Minority Whip Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseGOP seeks Biden referendum over vaccine mandates Louisiana delegation asks for additional relief funding after Ida FEMA has funds to cover disasters — for now MORE (La.), with House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jim JordanJames (Jim) Daniel JordanAllies see rising prospect of Trump 2024 White House bid Republican leaders misjudged Jan. 6 committee Watchdog group seeks ethics probe over McCarthy's Jan. 6 comments MORE (Ohio) and Reps. Blaine LuetkemeyerWilliam (Blaine) Blaine LuetkemeyerSmall business group to launch bus tour opposing Biden agenda Missouri Republicans move to block Greitens in key Senate race Democratic Kansas City, Mo., mayor eyes Senate run MORE (Mo.), Jackie WalorskiJacqueline (Jackie) R. WalorskiLIVE COVERAGE: Ways and Means begins Day 2 on .5T package Conservative women's group endorses Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Arkansas governor LIVE COVERAGE: House panel launches work on .5T spending package MORE (Ind.) and Mark GreenMark GreenA quick reaction force in India could prevent the worst of Taliban rule in Afghanistan Overnight Defense: Troops head back to Afghanistan to aid diplomatic evacuation Vaccine mandate poses major test for Pentagon chief MORE (Tenn.) also being selected to sit on the committee.

House GOP lawmakers have been highly critical of Democrats’ decision to establish the panel, arguing it is redundant due to the other watchdog mechanisms in place and politically motivated.

"Unlike those who think this committee or this virus is designed to restructure government, the individuals we appointed have one goal in mind: truth and transparency,” McCarthy said.

“Despite the Democrats’ intentions, I know these members will honorably serve the American people in making sure this does not turn into another baseless partisan pursuit.”