OpsLens

Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill to Shield Military Bases from Foreign Adversary Intrusion

Republican senators, led by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, have introduced a bill aimed at safeguarding U.S. military sites from potentially hostile foreign entities.

The Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act targets nations such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, aiming to prevent them from acquiring real estate near crucial U.S. military locations. This initiative is gaining traction with several cosponsors joining Cruz in this legislative effort.

The proposed legislation spans nine pages and mandates the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to scrutinize any real estate purchases or leases near military zones by individuals linked to these adversarial nations.

Specifically, the committee’s oversight would extend to areas within a 100-mile radius of any military base or 50 miles from military training routes, as well as airspace designated for special use by the Department of Defense. The findings would be reported to Congress, ensuring transparency and vigilance against foreign encroachments.

Furthermore, the bill seeks to pause energy project approvals while these foreign investment reviews are conducted. This measure aims to fortify national defense by imposing rigorous checks on the departments of Defense and Transportation. The overarching goal is to thwart any potential threats to U.S. military operations and personnel.

Senator Cruz has voiced concerns over foreign adversaries exploiting legal loopholes to gain strategic footholds near military sites, which could compromise national security. He emphasized that this bill is designed to obstruct adversaries from acquiring assets that might undermine the country’s defense capabilities.

This legislative push comes on the heels of Texas’ Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which Governor Greg Abbott recently signed into law. The Texas legislation prohibits state entities and businesses from forming contracts with companies controlled by hostile foreign nations, aiming to protect Texas’ vital infrastructure.

The urgency of these measures was highlighted when it was discovered that a Chinese billionaire and former general of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army had purchased over 130,000 acres near Laughlin Air Force Base, the largest air force pilot training base in the nation, located in Val Verde County. This acquisition raised alarms and underscored the necessity of legislative action.

In addition to the efforts in Texas, Florida has also taken steps to prevent foreign interference. In 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that bans the sale of farmland and property near military bases to entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party.

This law also prevents government bodies from entering contracts with such foreign entities and empowers the state attorney general to pursue legal action against violators.

The backdrop to these legislative actions is the record number of illegal border crossings from nations of concern, including China, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia, since the start of the Biden administration. This influx has heightened the urgency to secure national borders and protect critical infrastructure.

The U.S. State Department has also identified several nations as egregious violators of religious freedom, including China, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea. These countries are listed for their severe and ongoing violations, such as torture and prolonged detention without charges. Additionally, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran have been designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism.

The introduction of Cruz’s bill represents a proactive stance in Congress to address potential national security threats and demonstrates a commitment to protecting American military interests from foreign influence.

The legislative efforts in Texas and Florida further bolster this initiative, reflecting a broader national strategy to safeguard critical infrastructure and military readiness.

As debates continue, the focus remains on ensuring that foreign entities cannot exploit vulnerabilities in U.S. laws to gain strategic advantages. The concerted efforts by Republican leaders emphasize a priority on national security and the protection of American sovereignty.