The Arizona Senate passed legislation in a 17-11 party-line vote last month that would prohibit the communist Chinese regime or one of the enterprises under its direct control from purchasing, owning, or acquiring an ownership interest of 30% or more of property in the state, including property of strategic significance around U.S. military sites.
Lawmakers stressed within the text of the bill that it was necessary to “halt or reverse the influence operation of the Chinese Communist Party that poses a risk to the national security of the United States”; “to protect the critical infrastructure of this state”; and to protect Arizona’s “military, commercial and agricultural assets from foreign espionage and sabotage” in order to “place this state in a significantly stronger position to withstand national security threats.”
‘Governor Katie Hobbs continues to violate her oath of office.’
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs evidently disagreed — and that disagreement has earned her more disgust from Arizona Republicans.
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Hobbs vetoed the bill sponsored by Arizona Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp, claiming it was “ineffective at counter-espionage and does not directly protect our military assets.”
The governor added that the bill “lacks clear implementation criteria and opens the door to arbitrary enforcement.”
Shamp lashed out at Hobbs over her decision, noting that “with every politically motivated veto of public safety legislation put on her desk by Republicans, Governor Katie Hobbs continues to violate her oath of office she swore to uphold by endangering the lives and livelihoods of all Arizonans.”
“SB 1109 was a commonsense security measure to ensure enemies of the United States would not have easy access to our military bases and critical infrastructure to carry out harm,” Shamp continued.
“It is utterly insane that Arizona’s top elected official would rather be an obstructionist against safeguarding our citizens from threats than to sign legislation giving our state a fighting chance at proactively preventing attacks,” she added.
Beijing has provided America with plenty of cause in recent years to suspect ill will and continued sabotage.
China has, for instance, sent spy craft over the U.S. mainland; operated illegal police stations on American soil; threatened diplomats; dispatched agents to execute espionage and political destabilization missions; reportedly provided terrorist cartels with illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill press equipment; admitted to orchestrating significant cyberattacks on American institutions and critical infrastructure; engaged in numerous military provocations; and watched with interest as party members gobble up American properties.
According to the Annual Threat Assessment report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in March, “China stands out as the actor most capable of threatening U.S. interests globally.”
The America First Policy Institute noted last year that the communist Chinese regime’s acquisition of American land is accelerating, and Arizona might be a prime target on account of the military installations it is home to, including Barry M. Goldwater Range, Davis-Monthan, and Luke Air Force bases.
‘Governor Hobbs’ veto of SB 1109 hangs an “Open for the CCP” sign on Arizona’s front door.’
“Hobbs is a total disgrace,” added Shamp.
A statement posted to the X account of U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-Ariz.) similarly suggested that Hobbs’ “latest insane veto leaves Arizona’s critical infrastructure, including Luke Air Force Base, vulnerable to espionage and surveillance risks from nearby foreign-owned farmland.” The statement suggested that state Republicans’ goal could alternatively be realized at the federal level.
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Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) introduced the No American Land for Communist China Act in February. The bill, which presently appears to be inert, would prohibit any agent of the Chinese regime and any business under its control from purchasing real estate located adjacent to covered federal lands.
Various other bills have been introduced in recent years that would prevent elements of the Chinese regime from acquiring land, in most cases farmland or land near military sites.
Karrin Taylor Robson, a Republican attorney who is running to unseat Hobbs in next year’s gubernatorial election, vowed to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from getting “a single acre” if elected governor.
Michael Lucci, the founder and CEO of State Armor, a foreign policy outfit that helps states combat the influence of the CCP, said in a statement to Fox News, “Governor Hobbs’ veto of SB 1109 hangs an ‘Open for the CCP’ sign on Arizona’s front door, allowing Communist China to buy up American land near critical assets like Luke Air Force Base, Palo Verde nuclear power plant, and Taiwan Semiconductor’s growing fabrication footprint.”
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The post ‘Insane’: GOP condemns Gov. Hobbs for killing bill that would prevent Chinese communists from owning land near military bases appeared first on TheBlaze.
