House Dems fire back at GOP Rep. after he questions Chinese-American congresswoman’s loyalty to US

House Republican Rep. Lance Gooden has come under fire this week after questioning the loyalty and patriotism of a Democratic House representative who is Chinese American.

Texas Rep. Gooden appeared on Fox News with host Jesse Watters last week, where he expressed his concern that California Rep. Judy Chu (D) may not be loyal to the United States and should not be trusted with sensitive information, saying she may be working with the Chinese Communist government.

“I think that Judy Chu needs to be called out.” Gooden said. “I question her either loyalty or competence. If she doesn’t realize what’s going on, then she’s totally out of touch with one of her core constituencies.” He added, “I’m really disappointed and shocked that someone like Judy Chu would have a security clearance and entitled to confidential intelligence briefings until this is figured out.”

Chu responded to Gooden’s remarks on Twitter, calling them racist. The exchange happened after President Biden’s nominee for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council, banker Dominic Ng was questioned by Republicans, who claim he has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries came to Chu and Ng’s defense, saying in a Thursday statement, “Dr. Judy Chu is a hardworking, patriotic American public servant who is an important part of the gorgeous mosaic of our diverse country. Lance Gooden’s slanderous accusation of disloyalty against Rep. Chu is dangerous, unconscionable and xenophobic.”

House Democrats have called on the GOP to condemn Gooden over his statements.