Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB344

Introduced
1/12/23  

Caption

Securing America's Land from Foreign Interference Act This bill requires the President to take actions as necessary to prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party (and entities owned, controlled, or influenced by the party) from purchasing real estate located in the United States.

Impact

The passage of HB344 would pave the way for significant changes in the management of real estate transactions within the U.S. For state governments and local jurisdictions, this bill could lead to more stringent regulations on property sales, as federal guidelines would override existing state laws related to real estate transactions involving foreign nationals or entities. Additionally, this legislation reflects a broader trend of increasing scrutiny on foreign investments and acquisitions, especially those perceived as threats to national security or economic stability.

Summary

House Bill 344, titled the 'Securing America’s Land from Foreign Interference Act', mandates the President to prohibit the purchase of public and private real estate in the United States by members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and entities under the CCP's control or influence. This legislation has been introduced amid growing concerns regarding foreign interference and the increasing acquisition of U.S. agricultural and residential properties by foreign entities, particularly from China. Proponents argue that the bill is crucial for national security and aims to safeguard American land from foreign adversaries.

Contention

Despite the seemingly straightforward objective of protecting national interests, HB344 has sparked debates among legislators, particularly regarding its implications for trade and diplomatic relations with China. Critics argue that the bill could escalate tensions between the U.S. and China, potentially curtailing beneficial bilateral trade agreements. Furthermore, there are concerns about its enforcement mechanisms, including how to identify and officially classify 'members of the Chinese Communist Party' and their affiliated entities, which could lead to ambiguity in implementation.

Companion Bills

US SB1136

Related bill Not One More Inch or Acre Act

Previously Filed As

US HB809

Securing America's Land from Foreign Interference ActThis bill requires the President to take actions as necessary to prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party (and entities owned, controlled, or influenced by the party) from purchasing real estate located in the United States, U.S. territories, or U.S. possessions.

US HR207

Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit Members, officers, and employees of the House from serving on the board of directors of any entity which receives funding from, or is affiliated with or owned or controlled by, the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party, any other element of the Chinese Communist Party, or any foreign adversary, and for other purposes.

US HB212

Protecting our Land Act This bill requires the President to direct federal agencies to promulgate rules and regulations to prohibit foreign adversaries or state sponsors of terrorism from purchasing real estate located in the United States.

US HB57

Protecting Personal Data from Foreign Adversaries Act This bill authorizes sanctions and other prohibitions relating to software that engages in user data theft on behalf of certain foreign countries or entities. The President may regulate or prohibit transactions using software that engages in the theft or unauthorized transmission of user data and provides access to such data to (1) a communist country, (2) the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), (3) a foreign adversary, or (4) a state sponsor of terrorism. The President may also impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on developers and owners of software that makes unauthorized transmissions of user data to servers located in China that are accessible by China's government or the CCP. The Department of State shall report to Congress a determination regarding whether WeChat or TikTok fall within certain regulations and prohibitions, including those provided under this bill. (WeChat and TikTok are software programs developed by China-based companies.)

US HR11

Establishing the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

US HB22

Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act This bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Further, DOE must require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to China.

US SB2828

Purchase of public or private real estate located in Mississippi by members of the Chinese Communist Party; prohibit.

US HB293

Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to prohibit the export or sale of petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to (1) China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran; (2) any other country the government of which is subject to sanctions imposed by the United States; and (3) any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by such countries or the Chinese Communist Party. However, DOE may issue a waiver of the prohibition if the export or sale of petroleum products is in the national security interests of the United States.

US HR110

Prohibiting the distribution of Chinese Communist Party-controlled publications within House facilities, and for other purposes.

US HR2002

Securing America's lands; foreign interference

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.