LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today introduced the Communist China Defense legislative package, which will divest state resources from Communist China and ban foreign adversaries from buying land around critical infrastructure like military bases and electric substations. The legislation’s lead sponsors are Senator Blake Johnson (District 21), Representative DeAnn Vaught (District 87), Representative Britt McKenzie (District 7), Representative Mindy McAlindon (District 10), and Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr., (District 95).
“President Trump is the first president in my lifetime to take a hard line against Communist China and we are proud to support that work in Arkansas by getting Communist China off our land and out of our state,” said Governor Sanders. “Once I sign this legislation into law, Chinese Communist Party-linked companies’ will be banned from owning property near critical infrastructure and lobbying on behalf of Communist China, Russia, and other foreign adversaries will no longer be allowed in the state of Arkansas. My administration is putting America and Arkansas first.”
“China is America’s greatest adversary and I’m proud Arkansas is leading the way in pushing back against our enemies and putting America First. This legislation protects our farmers, our businesses, and our national security,” said Senator Blake Johnson.
“The protection of Arkansas agricultural lands, seed technology and our intellectual property should be of the highest priority,”said Rep. DeAnn Vaught.
“Over the past two terms, the State of Arkansas has curbed the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within our borders, signaling a unified and bold stance against foreign interference. From banning Chinese military drones, to prohibiting land ownership, and now instituting severe penalties and outlawing foreign influence peddling; These restrictions aim to protect Arkansas’s economic and security interests by limiting CCP-backed entities, full stop. I’d like to thank Governor Sarah Sanders for her partnership with the Legislature as these initiatives reflect Arkansas’s commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty and ensuring the well-being of our citizens,” said Rep. Britt McKenzie.
“Today, we take another step toward safeguarding taxpayer dollars and protecting the integrity of our democratic process. By ensuring that public funds are not spent on supporting China and by preventing foreign influence in our elections, we are standing up for our economy, our values, and the voice of Arkansas voters. These commonsense reforms reinforce our commitment to transparency, security, and the responsible stewardship of public resources,” said Rep. Mindy McAlindon.
“As I have emphasized since starting my public service, it is imperative that we prioritize our local businesses and protecting Arkansas taxpayers’ investments. The introduction of this Arkansas first, anti-communist China legislation underscores our commitment to ensuring that our economic resources are directed towards growing Arkansas business and investing in opportunities right here at home. This proactive measure is a reflection of our unwavering dedication to strengthening our economy and businesses,” said Rep. Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
“China‘s pattern of theft of our intellectual property here in Arkansas must stop and will stop this session,” said Rep. Stetson Painter.
The package will expand prohibitions on Chinese Communist Party-linked companies’ property ownership by preventing those companies from leasing property, owning property near critical infrastructure, and shortening the amount of time a banned company has to divest.
Governor Sanders will put Arkansas first by banning lobbying on behalf of Communist China, Russia, and other foreign adversaries. Municipalities will no longer be allowed to have from a sister city in Communist China. The State will withhold funding from colleges and universities that have a Confucius Institute or similar institute related to the People’s Republic of China, including Chinese cultural centers, and prohibit state-sponsored colleges and universities and entities from investing in Communist China. State agencies will be barred from spending public funds to purchase promotional items made in China.
In her first year in office, Governor Sanders became the first governor in the country to kick Communist China off Arkansas’ farmland and out of the state.
