WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) released a statement following an announcement from the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS) to expand scrutiny and to include real estate transactions adjacent to Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB) on a list of protected land from foreign investment and ownership:
“America’s foreign adversaries should not be allowed to purchase farmland in this country. They especially shouldn’t be buying land so close to one of our nation’s key military installations. As a pillar of our strategic deterrence, Whiteman Air Force base must be protected at all costs. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) made the right decision to add Whiteman to the list of protected military installations. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I’ll continue pushing back against the failures of this administration, and I’ll continue fighting to defend our national security,” said Congressman Alford.
BACKGROUND:
Last year, Congressman Alford and Senator Schmitt wrote a letter to the Department of Treasury Assistant Secretary for Investment Security requesting Whiteman AFB be added to the list of protected military installations.
The revised rule would add Whiteman AFB to a list of military installations that are protected from suspicious foreign investment. The rule would apply to any commercial or personal real estate transaction to a foreign person or entity within a 100-mile radius of Whiteman AFB.
Whiteman AFB is home to the B-2 bomber and the future home of the B-21 bomber. The next generation B-21 will be the backbone of America’s future bomber force and a crucial asset to project American air power and deterrence.
Last year’s proposed rule from CFIUS included several installations that will either house or are currently building the B-21, including Air Force Plant 42, Ellsworth Air Force Base, and Dyess Air Force Base.
However, Whiteman AFB was not included in this list despite being the second preferred location to receive the B-21. Whiteman AFB is critical to our national defense.
