Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), and others have introduced the Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act, a bill designed to restrict the purchases of property near U.S. Military lands by hostile foreign governments. Specifically, the legislation restricts the purchase of certain property by a foreign person acting for or on behalf of Russia, Communist China, Iran, or North Korea.
The legislators that have co-sponsored the bill alongside Sen. Scott include Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Katie Britt (R-AL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Tom Cotton (R-AR).
Sen. Cruz mentioned that hostile foreign nations have taken advantage of "loopholes" in the system to acquire lands adjacent to U.S. military installations and that the Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act closes these loopholes.
“Foreign adversaries are exploiting loopholes to acquire land near our military bases and training routes, jeopardizing the safety of our troops and the integrity of our operations," said Sen. Cruz. I am proud to introduce this legislation, which will block our adversaries from acquiring assets that could undermine our defense. I urge the Senate to expeditiously take it up and pass it.”
Moreover, Sen. Scott shared that it is the federal government's duty to enact legislation such as this to protect the United States' military, and by proxy, its people.
“The federal government has a duty to protect the American people and our military bases from espionage and terrorist attacks, especially in the face of threats from Russian, Chinese, North Korean and Iranian state actors," said Sen. Scott. "These are known enemies who want to bring harm upon America and our way of life – they have no business owning land anywhere near our military bases or sensitive air spaces. This is a no-brainer. It’s time to put America first and pass this good bill.”
According to Sen. Scott's press release, the Protecting Military Installations and Rangers Act would accomplish the following:
- Expand the jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to include real estate investments in the U.S. by entities linked to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea, if the investments are located 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.
- The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) would be prohibited from issuing final determinations regarding specified projects that involve a transaction under review by the committee until the committee has concluded its review.
