U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is supporting a number of legislative actions to push back against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Earlier this month, a Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the South Carolina coast after traveling across the country. Lawmakers across the nation have since criticized the Biden administration's perceived lack of action on the balloon and the brashness of the CCP in general.
Britt, recently named the ranking member of the Homeland Security subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, has taken several actions against illegal immigration since taking office in January. Recently, she has set her sights on the CCP.
"The spy balloon was only the latest, most visible instance in an ongoing trend of aggressive behavior by the Chinese Communist Party," Britt said. "There is no doubt that the CCP is our greatest geopolitical and national security threat, and everything they do is as our adversary. The FBI has said that they open a new counterintelligence case against China about twice per day."
Britt cosponsored the Cutting-off Communist Profiteers Act, a bill prohibiting any former U.S. presidential appointees from knowingly representing, aiding or advising the Chinese Communist Party or Chinese military companies.
Britt also cosponsored the Protecting America from Spies Act, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow the Department of State to deny visas to individuals who have committed acts of espionage or intellectual property theft against the United States.
In January, Britt added her name to a bill by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) to prevent the CCP from owning farmland in the United States.
"From stealing our intellectual property and spying on our children through TikTok to buying up American farmland and engaging in unfair trade practices that undercut Alabama steel makers and shrimpers, we must hold the CCP accountable," Britt continued. "We accomplish this through strength, not continued weakness, which is why I'm committed to modernizing our defense and intelligence capabilities. I'll continue to fight to put hardworking Alabamians first while protecting our homeland."
The bill would require the committee to review any investment that could result in foreign control of any U.S. agricultural business, including agricultural systems and supply chains. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture and the Government Accountability Office to analyze and report on foreign influence in U.S. agriculture.
Foreign investors currently hold approximately 40 million acres of U.S. agricultural land, with increases of 2.2 million acres annually since 2015.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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