America’s adversaries would be prohibited from acquiring American land near United States military bases under legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX).
“As our foreign enemies grow more aggressive, protecting our military installations is a top priority,” Rep. Gonzales said on Feb. 17. “This legislation would defend our national security by enhancing government security measures and vigilance around military installations.”
The Protecting Military Installations from Foreign Espionage Act, H.R. 917, which Rep. Gonzales sponsored on Feb. 9, would require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review any purchase or lease of real estate near a military installation or military airspace in the U.S. by a foreign person connected to, or subsidized by, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, according to the congressional record bill summary.
Additionally, H.R. 917 would authorize the U.S. Department of Defense to prevent construction on any site under federal investigation, according to information provided by the congressman’s staff.
Rep. Gonzales originally introduced the bill following an incident in 2015 when GH America Energy, a subsidiary of China’s Guanghui Energy Co. — which is owned by Sun Guangxin, a former member of China’s People’s Liberation Army and the wealthiest person in the Xinjiang province — purchased 130,000 acres in Val Verde County, Texas, to develop a wind farm. The land was directly adjacent to Laughlin Air Force Base, the U.S. Air Force’s largest training base, the information says.
“GH America Energy should never have been allowed to purchase land so close to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio,” said Rep. Gonzales. “I will continue to work to address this national security concern.”
H.R. 917 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House committees on Financial Services; Foreign Affairs; Energy and Commerce; Armed Services; and Transportation and Infrastructure.