Congress Hears Testimony on China-Linked Campaigns Blocking $23.6B in U.S. AI Infrastructure — Bitcoin Policy Institute

Event summary

Sam Lyman, Head of Research at Bitcoin Policy Institute, testified before Congress on September 15, 2026, about China-linked campaigns targeting U.S. AI infrastructure.
Research tracked 21 campaigns across 14 states, stalling or blocking $23.6 billion in proposed AI infrastructure investments.
Three vectors of influence identified: Chinese state media, U.S. nonprofits funded by Neville Roy Singham, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Federal grand jury investigating Singham for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The big picture

The testimony highlights a growing battle for AI supremacy between the U.S. and China, with foreign influence campaigns emerging as a key strategic tool. The $23.6 billion in delayed or blocked investments underscores the scale of the impact, raising questions about the resilience of U.S. tech infrastructure against geopolitical interference. The involvement of nonprofits and activist networks adds complexity to regulatory efforts to counter these campaigns.

What we're watching

Geopolitical Escalation: How China's influence operations will affect U.S. AI development and broader tech competition.
Regulatory Response: Whether Congress will enact new measures to counter foreign influence in U.S. tech sectors.
Investment Shifts: The pace at which stalled AI infrastructure projects will be revived or replaced.