Newhouse Returns Returns Donations from Chinese Agribusinesses

Republican 4th District Congressman Dan Newhouse is returning contributions from a small group of foreign supporters.

The Seattle Times reports he has refunded $17,500 in political donations to PAC’s associated with two Chinese-controlled agribusiness conglomerates.

The money was returned to PAC for Syngenta and Smithfield Foods, which both operate in the US, but are wholly owned subsidiaries of Chinese businesses. 

Newhouse is running for a fifth term in Congress, and has publicly criticized China's growing influence of American agriculture.

The Times reports he returned $16,500 in donations to a PAC for Syngenta and $1,000 to Smithfield Foods’ PAC as stated in a FEC report filed last Friday.

Newhouse's 4th District seat covers Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties in North Central Washington.