To the editor,

In today’s digital world, everything from critical infrastructure to online shopping relies on a safe and secure cyberspace. Bad actors, namely China, are continuing to exploit U.S. cybersecurity and target American businesses and citizens to achieve global dominance, and we continue to discover new ways President Xi is going about achieving this goal – using technology to exploit America and strengthen China.

Recently, three stories on China’s cyber-surveillance, hacking and influence campaigns were made public. A Chinese marketing firm was caught spreading pro-China stories across U.S. news platforms, Chinese hackers accessed the emails of top U.S. Department of State officials, and U.S. intelligence officials are tracking down Chinese malware that can access power grids and the communication and water systems to U.S. military bases.

These are just a few (and known) examples of the tactics China is using to undermine U.S. sovereignty; we need our elected officials to stand up to this threat.

And Rep. Gallagher is doing just that. Leading the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition on the Chinese Communist Party, Rep. Gallagher is taking a strong stance on China. He has shown the country, China, and the world that the United States is taking this threat seriously.

This issue crosses party lines, and I encourage all members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to work together and strengthen American technology, our cybersecurity capabilities, and our ability to compete with China so that America can remain the global leader.

Stephanie Brown

River Falls