Senate Republicans have unveiled a crucial national security measure to block Chinese land purchases near U.S. military bases, responding to alarming vulnerabilities exposed when a Chinese company attempted to acquire property adjacent to sensitive American defense installations.
Key Takeaways
- The “Protect Our Bases Act,” introduced by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and other Republican senators, strengthens CFIUS authority to review foreign land purchases near critical military sites.
- The legislation was prompted by a 2022 incident where the Chinese Fufeng Group attempted to purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, exposing dangerous gaps in national security protocols.
- The bill requires CFIUS member agencies to compile and annually update lists of sensitive military, intelligence, and national laboratory sites critical to national security.
- Senate Republicans are moving aggressively to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s infiltration and surveillance efforts targeting U.S. national security infrastructure.
Closing Critical Security Gaps in America’s Defense Infrastructure
The Protect Our Bases Act represents a significant effort to shore up America’s military security against foreign threats, particularly from China. Introduced by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) along with Senator Katie Britt of Alabama and other Republican colleagues, this legislation directly addresses alarming vulnerabilities in our current system for reviewing foreign land acquisitions near critical military installations. The bill significantly enhances the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency panel responsible for reviewing national security implications of foreign investments in the American economy.
“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.
The legislation emerged in direct response to a 2022 incident that exposed dangerous gaps in America’s defense infrastructure protections. The Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, attempted to purchase land in dangerous proximity to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. Alarmingly, CFIUS was initially unable to assess the security risks because the Department of Defense had not designated the base as a sensitive site, despite its housing of critical intelligence operations. This oversight highlights the urgent need for reforms in how we protect our military installations from foreign adversaries seeking strategic positioning for potential surveillance operations.
Mandatory Annual Reviews of Critical National Security Sites
At the core of the Protect Our Bases Act is a requirement for CFIUS member agencies to compile and annually update comprehensive lists of sensitive military installations, intelligence sites, and national laboratories crucial to national security. This mandatory reassessment process ensures that no critical defense infrastructure slips through the cracks as happened with the Grand Forks incident. The legislation also requires these agencies to submit regular reports to Congress, creating additional accountability and transparency in the protection of America’s most sensitive defense assets.
“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,” stated Chairman Scott.
The bill’s co-sponsors include several prominent Republican senators including Mike Crapo, Mike Rounds, Thom Tillis, and others, demonstrating strong conservative support for this critical national security measure. By making these vital records more accessible to CFIUS, the legislation empowers the committee to conduct thorough national security reviews of proposed foreign acquisitions near sensitive sites. This addresses a systemic weakness in our current protocols that could otherwise be exploited by America’s adversaries to establish dangerous surveillance positions or gather intelligence on U.S. military operations.
Part of a Broader Conservative Strategy Against Foreign Land Acquisition
The Protect Our Bases Act represents one component of a broader Republican strategy to counter foreign adversaries’ attempts to acquire strategic positions within American borders. Senator Britt has championed multiple legislative initiatives addressing these concerns, including the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, the Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act, and the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act. These complementary measures reflect growing conservative concern about foreign entities, particularly those controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, gaining footholds near sensitive American infrastructure.
“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 Tim Scott (R-SC).
While the Grand Forks incident ultimately ended with the city blocking the Chinese purchase, it revealed a dangerous vulnerability in America’s defense posture that could have been exploited at numerous other locations across the country. The Protect Our Bases Act represents a proactive conservative approach to national security that anticipates and counters threats before they materialize. By requiring annual updates and Congressional oversight, the legislation creates a dynamic security framework that can adapt to evolving threats from foreign adversaries seeking to compromise America’s military capabilities and intelligence operations.
