Sen. Mike Crapo stated on Aug. 15 that the No American Land for Communist China Act will protect U.S. land from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
"The No American Land for Communist China Act is a necessary protection for Idaho and the nation against seen & unseen threats from the CCP," said Crapo, U.S. Senator. "We must quash threats to our national security and natural resources."
The No American Land for the Chinese Communist Party Act is a bill aiming to ban any agent or business linked to the CCP from purchasing land "adjacent to federal land" in the U.S., according to a press release. Examples of federal land include military installations, national labs, and land with critical resources. The bill is sponsored by Representative Dan Newhouse and is cosponsored by Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the CCP.
U.S. Senator Mike Crapo
| X/MikeCrapo
According to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, foreign land ownership poses four main threats: food security, intellectual property, espionage opportunities, and biological warfare. Food security is a concern since China has increased its agricultural farmland investment in the U.S. Intellectual property is an issue as Chinese entities are seeking insight into American agricultural practices and transferring that information back to China. Espionage is also an issue as proximity to U.S. military installations can offer potential for direct observation. Biological warfare is also a concern, as Chinese ownership of farmland raises the potential for the spread of pathogens that can devastate American crops or livestock.
According to CNBC, the Fufeng Group, a Chinese company, bought 300 acres of land in Grand Forks, North Dakota, about 20 minutes from the Grand Forks Air Force Base. The land purchase raised national security concerns because Grand Forks Air Force Base houses some of the nation’s most sensitive military drone technology.
Crapo has represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate for six years and is currently the Chief Deputy Whip of Senate Republicans, according to his website. Prior to serving in public office, he was a partner in the law firm of Holde, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo.
