U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced the Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act, aimed at safeguarding Department of Defense installations and training areas from foreign adversaries. The proposed legislation seeks to restrict property purchases by individuals acting on behalf of Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea.
Senator Cruz emphasized the importance of this bill by stating, “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.” He urged for a swift passage in the Senate.
Supporting voices include Senator Rick Scott who remarked on the federal government’s duty to protect military bases from espionage and terrorist threats posed by these nations. He stated, “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.”
Senator Ted Budd expressed concerns over land acquisitions by the Chinese Communist Party near U.S. military facilities as a national security threat. He thanked Senator Cruz for leading this legislative effort.
Senator Katie Britt highlighted that expanding CFIUS’s jurisdiction is crucial for protecting national security assets in states like Alabama with numerous military installations.
Senator Tommy Tuberville pointed out that allowing adversarial countries to own land close to critical military sites poses risks. He called for immediate action from Congress to prevent such occurrences.
Senator Markwayne Mullin addressed broader security concerns related to illegal immigration and its potential impact on military installations while advocating for this legislation as part of a comprehensive security strategy.
Finally, Senator Tom Cotton reinforced that America’s adversaries should not be allowed to purchase land within proximity to military bases due to national security implications.
The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).
The act proposes expanding CFIUS’s oversight over real estate investments within 100 miles of a military installation or 50 miles of certain other strategic locations if linked to specified foreign entities. It also includes provisions restricting DOD and DOT from finalizing decisions on projects under committee review until completion.
