hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Adds Interior Secretary to CFIUS for public land deals involving adversaries.
Rep. Newhouse (R-WA) and other Republicans.
Introduced in House, awaiting committee review.
This bill, introduced by Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and co-sponsored by other Republicans, proposes to update the Defense Production Act of 1950. It would add the Secretary of the Interior to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) when reviewing transactions involving land near public lands. It also mandates that CFIUS investigate certain land or resource purchases by individuals or entities from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran. The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to multiple committees for consideration.
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 14, 2026. It has been sent to the House Committees on Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs for review. Before it can be voted on by the full House, these committees must first consider and approve it. If it passes the House, it would then move to the Senate for their consideration before it could potentially become law.
If this bill passes, the Secretary of the Interior would gain a seat on a powerful government committee (CFIUS) when that committee reviews foreign investments involving land or resources adjacent to many public lands like national parks or Bureau of Land Management properties. This would ensure that decisions about such land sales consider their impact on public land management. The bill would also specifically require CFIUS to scrutinize land or resource acquisitions by individuals or entities from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, potentially blocking such transactions if they are deemed a national security risk.
Supporters Say
Supporters say it protects national security and public lands from foreign adversary influence.
Critics Say
Critics may argue it could add bureaucratic hurdles to legitimate foreign investment or be seen as overly broad.
Supporters of this bill would likely argue that it's a crucial step to safeguard U.S. national security by preventing foreign adversaries from acquiring sensitive land or resources adjacent to vital public lands. They might emphasize the importance of protecting areas managed by agencies like the National Park Service or the Bureau of Land Management from potential exploitation or intelligence gathering by hostile nations. Critics, if any emerge, might express concerns about potential overreach, arguing that it could unnecessarily complicate or deter foreign investment that might otherwise be beneficial, or that existing mechanisms are sufficient.