GOP lawmaker introduces plan to curb Chinese land ownership in US
Rep. Stephanie Bice Introduces Bill to Stop China’s Land Purchases
Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) has introduced the Stop China’s Continuous Purchase of Land Act, a state-focused approach to prevent countries like China and Russia from buying land in America.
The bill aims to incentivize states to prohibit the sale of agricultural land to countries listed on the State Department’s Defense Trade Control Country Policies List and Russia. It does so by restricting access to specific federal grants and programs provided in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Ensuring Accurate Documentation and Monitoring
Additionally, the bill requires the secretary of agriculture to submit a report to Congress on updating the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act. This update would enhance the accuracy of documentation, reporting, and monitoring of foreign ownership of agricultural land.
Assessing the Impact and Strengthening Real Estate Security
The bill also mandates the Comptroller General at the Government Accountability Office to submit a report within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. This report will assess the impact of the bill and propose measures to better secure real estate in the United States from foreign manipulation.
According to a 2021 report from the Department of Agriculture, Chinese land ownership in America accounts for less than 1% of total foreign land ownership. However, concerns have grown across party lines about Chinese land ownership’s potential impact on American assets and information.
Over the past decade, Chinese land ownership has significantly increased from approximately 69,000 acres in 2011 to nearly 384,000 acres in 2021, as per USDA data. Foreign land ownership as a whole has also experienced a substantial rise during this period.
“China and the CCP make up one of the greatest threats to our country, which is why it is deeply concerning that they continue to gobble up American land at an astounding rate,” said Bice in a statement. “The Stop CCP Land Act incentivizes states to prohibit countries like China and Russia from purchasing American agricultural land. Americans should own American land, not foreign adversaries.”
Bice’s bill has garnered support from 15 co-sponsors, all Republicans, including House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX).
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