U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins Chairman Scott, Colleagues in Legislation to Strengthen Review of Foreign Land Purchases Near U.S. Military Sites
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and several of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Bases Act. This bill would ensure the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) can review foreign land purchases near sensitive military, intelligence, and national laboratory sites by requiring member agencies to annually update and review their lists of these sites.
“As the threat of our foreign adversaries grows, especially from the Chinese Communist Party, it’s paramount that we secure our intelligence,” said Senator Britt. “Allowing CFIUS to review foreign land purchases near sensitive military and government sites is just common sense, and this legislation takes a crucial first step toward achieving that.”
In 2022, Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, announced it would purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. CFIUS determined it could not evaluate the transaction for national security risks because the Department of Defense had not listed the base as a sensitive site for national security purposes. Although the City of Grand Forks ultimately blocked the transaction, the incident demonstrated a significant flaw in the review process of foreign land purchases.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the U.S national security apparatus requires vigilance from our national security agencies. This legislation will enhance the review of foreign real estate transactions near critical national security installations, helping ensure CFIUS has the information it needs to protect our homeland and keep our nation safe,” said Chairman Scott.
CFIUS relies on its member agencies to provide updated information on sensitive military, intelligence, and national laboratory sites in order to properly assess the security risk of foreign investment in our country. If CFIUS member agencies do not appropriately update their site lists, CFIUS cannot ensure an accurate review.
Senator Britt also cosponsored the Protect Our Bases Act in the 118th Congress. The text of the bill can be found here.
The Senator has supported several additional pieces of legislation holding foreign adversaries accountable and standing up for hardworking Americans. Senator Britt introduced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act alongside Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), which prevents any Chinese nationals or entities from owning American land.
Senator Britt is also a cosponsor of Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act, which requires review of any investment that could result in foreign control of any U.S. agricultural business. Additionally, Senator Britt joined Senator Rounds in introducing the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, which passed as part of the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
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