Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with several colleagues, have introduced the Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act, a bill aimed at preventing foreign adversaries from acquiring property near Department of Defense (DOD) installations and training areas. The legislation targets entities linked to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The bill expands the jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review real estate transactions within 100 miles of a military installation or 50 miles of a military training route, special use airspace, controlled firing area, or military operations area if the buyer is acting on behalf of one of the four designated foreign adversaries. Additionally, the bill would prohibit the DOD and Department of Transportation (DOT) from issuing final determinations on projects involving foreign investment until the committee completes its review.
Senator Britt emphasized the importance of protecting national security assets from foreign influence, particularly in states like Alabama, which host multiple military installations. “The Chinese Communist Party and adversaries around the globe are constantly looking for opportunities to undermine the United States, including making investments here in America,” Britt stated.
Senator Cruz echoed this concern, stating that foreign adversaries are exploiting loopholes to acquire land near military facilities, potentially jeopardizing national security. He urged the Senate to swiftly consider and pass the legislation.
The Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act is co-sponsored by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).
In addition to this legislation, Senator Britt has also introduced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, co-sponsored by Senator Cotton. This bill seeks to prohibit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or entities acting on its behalf from purchasing real estate in the U.S. and requires the sale of property deemed a national security risk. It also enforces stricter penalties for foreign investors failing to comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting requirements.
The introduction of these bills comes amid ongoing concerns about foreign investments near sensitive U.S. defense sites and their potential implications for national security.
