Sen. Katie Britt Introduces the Protect Our Bases Act
Bill requires annual updates on foreign land buying near military bases
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) has joined with with Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R–SC) and other Republicans to launch the Protect Our Bases Act. The bill requires annual updates and reviews by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) of any foreign land acquisitions near military, intelligence, or national lab sites.
“As the threat of our foreign adversaries grows, especially from the Chinese Communist Party, it’s paramount that we secure our intelligence,” said Senator Britt. “Allowing CFIUS to review foreign land purchases near sensitive military and government sites is just common sense, and this legislation takes a crucial first step toward achieving that.”
She joined Chair Scott, who added, “The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the U.S national security apparatus requires vigilance from our national security agencies. This legislation will enhance the review of foreign real estate transactions near critical national security installations, helping ensure CFIUS has the information it needs to protect our homeland and keep our nation safe.”
The bill addresses a key loophole that has allowed foreign countries to purchase land near some military bases. In 2022, Chinese-owned Fufeng Group planned to buy land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. But because that base wasn’t listed as “sensitive,” CFIUS had no authority to step in. Local officials later blocked the deal, but the incident exposed a gap.
Under the new bill, CFIUS would require agencies to keep updated lists of sensitive sites. It also mandates yearly reports to Congress confirming these reviews are done.
Sen. Britt first backed this legislation in October 2023. Since then, she’s supported more efforts aimed at keeping foreign adversaries from owning U.S. land. These include the Not One More Inch or Acre Act and cosponsoring the Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) and Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Acts focused on agriculture security.
The bill addresses rising concerns about foreign actors near U.S. military sites. Recent cases—like other foreign purchases near bases—have sparked fresh calls for more tools to protect national security. Several states have already moved against such purchases in recent months, but U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), along with Sen. Britt, want greater focus on the federal level as well.
“The Chinese Communist Party can’t be allowed to compromise the security of military and government facilities on our home turf,” Scott said. “By enhancing the review of foreign real estate transactions near sites that are vital to U.S. national security, this legislation will increase accountability to help ensure the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States can take proper action to push back on Communist China and keep our nation safe.”
If passed, the Protect Our Bases Act would be a key measure in tightening oversight of outside influence on lands near U.S. defense operations.
