Biden-Harris Electric School Bus Program Raises Concerns Over Chinese Ties

The Biden-Harris administration is facing scrutiny after the Clean School Bus program, championed by Vice President Kamala Harris, provided $395,000 in federal funds to a subsidiary of BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. Just months after the funding was awarded, BYD Americas President Ke Li, a Chinese national, made significant financial contributions to the Biden-Harris campaign, raising concerns about the connection between taxpayer dollars and political donations.

BYD Americas was selected in late 2022 to receive funding under the Clean School Bus program, aimed at helping school districts transition to electric buses. In May 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disbursed $395,000 to BYD for an electric bus for a California school district. Shortly after, on November 14, 2023, Ke Li donated $50,000 to the Harris campaign, earmarking donations to the Democratic National Committee and the Biden Victory Fund.

Federal law prohibits foreign nationals from making campaign contributions, but Li’s status as a green card holder may exempt her from this rule. While these donations raise questions, they highlight the growing ties between the Chinese electric vehicle industry and the Biden-Harris administration’s energy policies. Despite the administration’s efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese technology, the funds granted to BYD appear to contradict that goal.

BYD has been under congressional scrutiny for its ties to the Chinese Communist Party and concerns over espionage. A provision in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act prohibits federal funds from being used to purchase vehicles from companies linked to the Chinese government, though it does not apply to the Clean School Bus program.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has criticized the program as a failure, accusing it of pushing school districts toward inefficient and costly technologies, many of which are linked to China. With BYD recently surpassing Tesla as the world’s top EV manufacturer, questions about the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities and ties to China are intensifying.

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