LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – House Republicans are working to increase national security in Michigan. The lawmakers voted on six bills, all aimed at preventing foreign entities from gaining access to things like state land and technology.
The author of one of the bills, Representative Bill G. Schuette, said the goal is to keep foreign businesses and officials from accessing state assets. The bills would prohibit entities from foreign countries from purchasing farmland within 20 miles of a military facility, restrict the use of apps like TikTok on government devices, and ensure health care data is stored exclusively on U.S. and Canadian servers.
The lawmakers listed targets like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria. Citing incidents where Chinese companies received state subsidies, and U-M students connected to a Chinese university were caught near Camp Greyling.
“These are nefarious countries that are trying to really undermine and manipulate America at every turn, making sure that they don’t have the ability to do so,” Schuette said. “I would see and monitor that happening in other countries across the globe. Now we’re seeing China, we’re seeing North Korea, we’re seeing these other entities turning their focus here to the United States.”
House Democrats voted against the bills, one said it’s because the bills aren’t broad enough. Representative Dylan Wegela said public dollars should stay in public spaces. He emphasized that the bills should apply to all foreign countries, while other Democrats pushed to include protections for residential real estate.
“We shouldn’t give any foreign governments U.S. taxpayer dollars or subsidies. Why does it just single out seven countries makes no sense to me. Let’s make sure we’re protecting US farmland and protecting U.S. tax dollars.” Wegela said. “Why is it OK for a German company to get US taxpayer dollars, but it’s not OK for Cuba or Venezuela? I think the point is, Americans don’t want their tax dollars going to foreign governments and companies.”
All bills passed in the House and are now on their way to the Senate for further consideration. There is more information about the bills below:
House Bill 4233: PASSED 63-47
House Bill 4234: PASSED 63-47
House Bill 4235: PASSED 79-31
House Bill 4238: PASSED 59-51
House Bill 4239: PASSED 61-49
House Bill 4240: PASSED 61-49
House Bill 4241: PASSED 66-44
House Bill 4242: PASSED 71-39
