Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, a likely candidate for Governor in 2026, is preparing to introduce a trio of bills aimed at curbing malign foreign influence within the United States, particularly from adversarial nations such as China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. Real Clear Politics first reported her plans.
“Foreign adversaries like Communist China are quietly embedding themselves in our communities,” Blackburn told RCP. “We have a responsibility to identify and address these threats. My legislation shines a light on these activities and helps protect American property and sovereignty.”
With bipartisan concern mounting over Beijing’s reach, Blackburn’s bills are expected to become a bipartisan issue in Congress later this year after the Senate’s August recess.
Blackburn’s first bill would ban foreign individuals and entities from specific countries deemed hostile to U.S. interests from purchasing U.S. agricultural land. Chinese interests currently own an estimated 370,000 acres — some near U.S. military bases, which has raised alarm about potential surveillance or drone threats. The bill would codify a Biden-era ban announced last month by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, turning administrative action into federal law.
The second Blackburn legislative initiative would prohibit the District of Columbia from maintaining “sister city” partnerships with nations that are adversaries. While such arrangements are largely symbolic, critics argue they offer diplomatic legitimacy and potential access to sensitive institutions. One such agreement, with Beijing, dates back to 1984, reflecting a now-outdated hope that engagement with China would lead to better relations.
The third bill advocated by Blackburn would direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate how foreign buyers. The first bill would ban foreign individuals and entities from hostile countries from purchasing U.S. agricultural land. Chinese interests currently own an estimated 370,000 acres — some near U.S. military bases, raising alarm about potential surveillance or drone threats. The bill would codify the Biden-era ban announced last month by Sec. Rollins, turning administrative action into federal law.
These proposals come amid her desire to legislatively support the foreign policy objectives of President Trump, who has reshaped trade deals and doubled down on strategic competition with China. While U.S.-China relations remain publicly cordial, the Trump Administration continues to pursue policies to maintain global technological and military supremacy.
The Senate is in the midst of an August-long recess. Blackburn expects the Senate to move forward with her trio of legislative initiatives when they return to Washington.
Steve Gill is Publisher of TriStar Daily and a national and international political analyst and commentator.
