Lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the implications of foreign land purchases, especially by Chinese companies, near sensitive U.S. facilities, including Coast Guard locations and Energy Department labs. This trend raises alarms about potential espionage and the security of critical infrastructure.
The Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) recently expanded its jurisdiction to cover 50 military sites, but many essential areas — including national labs and key ports — are not included in this list, leaving them vulnerable to foreign influence.
Reps. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) have been vocal about the need for reform. In a letter to the Treasury Department, they highlighted the importance of including Coast Guard facilities in the review process, stating, “These loopholes must be closed, and closed quickly.”
The Chinese Communist Party has amassed significant holdings in the U.S., with at least 384,000 acres of agricultural land under its control, representing a 30% increase since 2019. This equates to nearly $2 billion in assets, which could be leveraged for influence in American agriculture.
Current CFIUS regulations do not apply retroactively, allowing previously acquired land to evade scrutiny. This oversight could lead to security threats, particularly as foreign adversaries seek to monitor U.S. responses to national security situations.
The lawmakers emphasize that the absence of CFIUS oversight for land purchases near Coast Guard and Energy Department facilities poses a significant risk. “We cannot allow bad actors to purchase land in America to harm us,” Murphy warned, calling for urgent legislative reforms to close these critical gaps.
