The House Appropriations Committee advanced new national security measures on May 6 to strengthen oversight of foreign ownership near key U.S. military installations, particularly those connected to the country’s nuclear triad, in response to concerns about Chinese Communist Party-linked property acquisitions.
The issue has gained attention as lawmakers seek to address potential risks posed by foreign entities purchasing land close to sensitive sites such as Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The language was included in the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government funding bill and report, which recently passed out of committee.
Representative Mark Alford said, “In an era of intensifying great power competition, the security of our nation’s most sensitive military installations cannot be taken for granted. That is why I am proud to announce that language from my Strategic Assets Protection Act has been included in the 2027 Financial Services and General Government funding bill, which recently passed out of the House Appropriations Committee.”
Alford also said, “This provision marks a critical step forward in safeguarding the crown jewel of American deterrence: our nuclear triad. For the first time, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or CFIUS... will be required to review all real estate and business transactions near nuclear triad sites that have occurred since 2017.” He added that recent investigative reporting uncovered CCP-linked ownership next to Whiteman Air Force Base and two golf clubs adjacent to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
Alford said his legislation would require retroactive scrutiny by CFIUS for transactions near these strategic locations since 2017. He stated, “We cannot allow potential vulnerabilities to persist simply because they were overlooked in the past.” The same funding bill provides $22 million for CFIUS operations related to these reviews.
According to the official website, Tom Cole serves as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and leads efforts related to federal spending bills. The committee handles drafting annual appropriations bills that allocate federal funds across government operations and influences policy through its role passing major funding legislation like Continuing Appropriations Acts.
Alford concluded, “With inclusion of the Strategic Assets Protection Act... we are sending a clear message: America will not allow foreign adversaries to encroach upon the foundations of our deterrence.”
