All About CFIUS, the Watchdog Biden May Use to Review Musk’s Ventures

As President Joe Biden’s administration weighs whether to subject some of Elon Musk’s ventures -- including his intended purchase of Twitter Inc. -- to national security reviews, one option would be to employ a largely obscure committee that works behind closed doors. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, or CFIUS, has thwarted acquisitions of American companies, particularly by Chinese investors. Biden recently articulated to the committee what he views as its role in US national security.

CFIUS -- pronounced SIFF-ee-yus -- is a panel of government officials that reviews acquisitions of, and some investments in, American businesses by foreign buyers to determine if the deals pose risks to national security. It’s led by the Treasury secretary, with other members from the State, Defense, Justice, Commerce, Energy and Homeland Security departments.