Senate Republicans strike back against Chinese surveillance with a bold new bill to safeguard America’s military bases from foreign infiltration after a Chinese company nearly purchased land near critical Air Force intelligence operations.
Key Takeaways
- Senate Republicans, led by Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, introduced the “Protect Our Bases Act” to strengthen review of foreign land purchases near military installations
- The legislation empowers the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to block potentially dangerous foreign acquisitions near sensitive military sites
- The bill was prompted by a 2022 incident where a Chinese company attempted to purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota
- Current security protocols failed when CFIUS couldn’t assess risks because the Air Force base wasn’t designated as a sensitive site by the Pentagon
- The act requires federal agencies to annually update critical site listings and report to Congress on potential threats
Closing Chinese Surveillance Loopholes
Senate Republicans have taken decisive action to protect America’s military installations from foreign infiltration by introducing the “Protect Our Bases Act.” The legislation, spearheaded by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.), directly addresses glaring vulnerabilities in our national security framework that have allowed foreign entities, particularly those connected to the Chinese Communist Party, to attempt purchasing land dangerously close to sensitive military operations. The bill specifically empowers the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency panel tasked with reviewing national security implications of foreign investments, to block potentially dangerous acquisitions before they compromise American security.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the US 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 Tim Scott (R-SC).
The legislation earned strong backing from numerous Senate Republicans including Mike Crapo, Mike Rounds, Thom Tillis, and Senator Katie Britt, who have joined forces to address what many security experts view as an emerging threat to national defense. By requiring CFIUS member agencies to annually update and review lists of critical sites, the bill creates a systematic approach to identifying potential vulnerabilities before foreign adversaries can exploit them. This coordinated effort represents a significant improvement over the current patchwork system that has failed to adequately protect sensitive installations.
Chinese Threat Sparked Urgent Action
The legislation was prompted by a disturbing 2022 incident when the Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Communist regime, attempted to purchase land near the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. This base houses critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Alarmingly, CFIUS was unable to properly assess the security risks posed by the purchase because the Department of Defense had not designated the base as a sensitive site. This dangerous oversight could have resulted in a Chinese-controlled entity establishing operations within monitoring distance of crucial national security assets.
“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.
While local officials in Grand Forks ultimately blocked the purchase, the incident exposed a dangerous gap in America’s defense protocols. Under the current system, CFIUS can only review foreign land acquisitions near sensitive military sites if those sites have been properly designated by their respective agencies. The new legislation mandates that CFIUS member agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and intelligence agencies, conduct annual reviews and updates of their critical sites lists to ensure comprehensive protection from foreign surveillance and infiltration attempts.
Comprehensive National Security Approach
The Protect Our Bases Act represents a key component of a broader Republican strategy to counter Chinese influence and protect American sovereignty. Senator Britt has championed several complementary measures including the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, the Foreign Adversary Risk Management Act, and the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive approach to addressing the multi-faceted threat posed by foreign entities seeking to gain footholds near critical infrastructure and sensitive installations throughout the United States.
“Senate Republicans have introduced a bill aimed at protecting sensitive military sites across the United States from foreign adversaries such as China,” Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said while announcing the legislation on June 18.
Under the legislation, CFIUS will receive enhanced authority to review and potentially block foreign land purchases near military installations, intelligence facilities, and national laboratories. The bill also requires agencies to submit detailed reports to Congress regarding potential threats, ensuring proper oversight of this critical national security function. This common-sense approach addresses what has become an increasingly aggressive campaign by China to establish surveillance capabilities near sensitive American facilities, a threat that demands immediate and decisive countermeasures to preserve national security.
