Ben Cline
05/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/13/2026 11:41
ICYMI: Rep. Cline Introduced Legislation to Counter CCP Infiltration of Federal Agencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In case you missed it, today, Congressman Cline (R-VA) introduced the Servicemember Payment Data Privacy and Security Act to ensure federal facilities are not using any Chinese hardware in point-of-sale technology, limiting the exposure and infiltration by foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.
Bloomberg Government
By: Rachel Schilke
The Defense Department would be barred from using point-of-sale technology owned and operated by companies connected to "foreign adversaries" under a bill Rep. Ben Cline is introducing Wednesday.
The measure would "prohibit the Secretary of Defense from contracting with retailers who use covered payment processing equipment, systems, or services" beginning Jan. 1, 2027 that are operated by a "country of concern," including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Allowing Chinese-owned and operated point-of-sale technology in Defense Department facilities increases the "risk of exposing sensitive data to our foreign adversaries," Cline (R-Va.), who serves on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement.
"I introduced the Servicemember Payment Data Privacy and Security Act to protect important information from CCP operatives who aim to exploit, undermine, and harm our Nation," Cline said.
The Treasury Department found in 2021 that point-of-sale devices by PAX Technologies, a Chinese-based manufacturer, were transmitting encrypted data to unknown third parties in China. In 2025, NCIS said in a letter in response to questions from Cline that it identified concerns with the company and "briefed the Secretary of the Navy and various Department of War components in 2021/2022 to have the devices removed."
Cline's office discovered last year PAX-made devices were in use in the House Rayburn and Longworth office building cafeterias. The devices are similar to tap-to-pay kiosks. While current law prohibits the existence of PAX devices, the kiosks in Rayburn and Longworth were able to evade scrutiny because the primary contractor was for a separate service, according to Cline's office.
After Cline raised concerns with the House Administration Committee, the devices were removed from the cafeterias on March 30.
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Ben Cline published this content on May 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 13, 2026 at 17:41 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]