U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) wants to make sure that Washington D.C.’s city government is formally ending it’s “Sister City” relationship with the capital of Communist China.

Tuberville joined U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in sending a letter to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the status of the District’s Sister City relationship with Beijing after the agreement was removed from the city’s website in August without any formal announcement.

“We are writing to inquire about the District’s Sister City relationship with Beijing, China,” the Senators wrote. “Earlier this year, Washington, D.C. was listed as having an active sister city agreement with Beijing on the official D.C. Office of the Secretary website. However, as of August, the publicized list no longer includes Beijing. Given the national security implications, we believe it is important to ensure that all formal and informal agreements between U.S. and foreign municipalities are not exploited by foreign governments—particularly the People’s Republic of China—as vehicles to advance soft-power objectives, disseminate propaganda, or suppress dissenting voices.”

Sister city programs are meant to offer cultural, educational and health care exchanges, and sometimes joint technology and economic development initiatives, with a goal of expanding global understanding and peace.

The lawmakers requested information on the following:

(1) whether the District’s sister city agreement with Beijing has been formally terminated or merely suspended;

(2) a copy of any memorandum of understanding, contract, or agreement—past or present— between the District of Columbia and any Chinese governmental entity, including the City of Beijing; and

(3) whether the District is currently reviewing or reassessing other international partnerships to ensure mitigation against potential risks.

Earlier this year, Blackburn also introduced  The District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act, which would “would prohibit Washington, D.C. from maintaining Sister City relationships with jurisdictions in foreign adversary countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, require termination of existing relationships within 180 days, and bar the use of federal funds for international outreach unless D.C. certifies compliance.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee