OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma has introduced a series of legislative proposals aimed at addressing China's influence on American soil. The bills focus on issues related to farmland ownership, academic partnerships, and lending practices.

"China continues to buy up American farm land, steal our patents, and expand their authoritarian world view. America will demonstrate to the world our values and maintain our economic and military strength to assure the globe has the best opportunity for freedom. No one in China should doubt America’s resolve and commitment to liberty," stated Lankford.

The proposed legislation includes the Belt & Road Oversight Act, which aims to establish a Country China Officer at each US embassy globally. This officer would monitor Chinese investments, especially those involving critical infrastructure funded through what are described as predatory lending practices.

Another part of the package is the Security and Oversight for International Landholdings (SOIL) Act. This act seeks greater transparency in purchases of US agricultural land that could pose national security risks. According to reports from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), there are concerns about connections between Chinese entities and some licensed marijuana farms in Oklahoma. These connections are suspected of contributing to criminal activities such as human trafficking and money laundering. Senators Michael Bennet, Jim Risch, Thom Tillis, and Marsha Blackburn have joined Lankford in supporting this bill.

Senator Blackburn also supports the Countering Adversarial and Malicious Partnerships at Universities and Schools (CAMPUS) Act. This bill would prohibit joint research between US universities and institutions linked with China's military forces, specifically the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It would restrict Department of Education funding for K-12 schools partnering with PLA-linked entities and prevent federal contracts for universities collaborating with PRC military enterprises.