‘Insane’: Dem governor slammed after vetoing bill restricting Chinese land purchases

Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs faced backlash on Tuesday after vetoing a bill aimed at preventing China from acquiring land near strategic assets like military bases. The bill, S.B. 1109, was intended to safeguard American military assets in the state from potential espionage threats posed by Chinese investment in land near these critical locations.

The veto prompted criticism from state Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp, who called it a “politically motivated” decision that jeopardized the safety of Arizona’s citizens. Shamp accused Hobbs of obstructing efforts to protect the state from foreign threats, particularly from China.

On the other hand, Governor Hobbs defended her decision by stating that the bill was ineffective in countering espionage activities and did not offer direct protection to military assets. She argued that the lack of clear implementation criteria in the bill could lead to arbitrary enforcement, raising concerns about potential discrimination in land sales.

Despite Hobbs’ veto, there is still a possibility for S.B. 1109 to pass if the Arizona legislature overrides the decision. The bill would prohibit the People’s Republic of China from owning more than 30% of property in Arizona, aiming to limit Chinese government-linked entities and their subsidiaries from acquiring land near critical assets.

The issue of Chinese land grabs in the United States has been a growing concern for lawmakers at both the state and federal levels. Congress is currently considering multiple bills related to foreign land purchases, while nearly two dozen states have already passed legislation to address the issue and protect national security interests.

In light of recent global events, such as Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian military aircraft, the proximity of foreign-owned land to strategic assets like military bases poses a significant national security risk. The potential for asymmetric warfare highlights the importance of preventing foreign entities, particularly those with ties to adversarial nations like China, from acquiring land near critical infrastructure.

As the debate over foreign property ownership continues, states and Congress are taking steps to strengthen regulations and protect American interests. The focus on restricting Chinese investment in land near strategic assets underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard national security and prevent potential threats from hostile foreign actors.

Overall, the veto of S.B. 1109 by Governor Hobbs has sparked a contentious debate on how best to address the issue of foreign land acquisitions in the United States. The ongoing legislative efforts at both the state and federal levels reflect the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure and military assets from potential espionage and security threats posed by foreign entities like China.