Democrat Governor Roasted for Vetoing Bill That Would Limit Chinese Land Ownership Near Military Sites

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Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have blocked China from owning large portions of land near sensitive sites like military bases. Her decision sparked backlash over national security concerns and accusations of putting political motives ahead of public safety.

Key Facts:

  • Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed S.B. 1109, which would have limited Chinese land ownership near critical infrastructure in Arizona.
  • The bill would have capped the Chinese government’s stake in Arizona property at 30% or less.
  • Hobbs claimed the bill lacked clarity and did not effectively protect military assets.
  • Supporters of the bill cited security concerns near Luke Air Force Base and other strategic locations.
  • The Arizona legislature may attempt to override the veto; Congress is also considering national-level restrictions.

The Rest of The Story:

Governor Hobbs argued that S.B. 1109 would not directly prevent espionage or protect national security sites.

She said the bill lacked clear implementation standards and could lead to arbitrary enforcement.

The legislation, which had undergone bipartisan changes, was intended to stop Chinese government-linked entities from acquiring large stakes in Arizona property—especially near key sites like the Luke Air Force Base, the Palo Verde nuclear power plant, and the Taiwan Semiconductor plant.

Despite Hobbs’ concerns, 22 states have already passed laws to restrict foreign land ownership, including 17 that enacted such legislation in 2024.

Nationally, Congress is reviewing multiple bills with the same intent.

Hobbs received sharp criticism over the decision.

Commentary:

Governor Hobbs’ veto of S.B. 1109 is an embarrassing dereliction of duty that prioritizes political optics over national and local safety.

The bill’s goal was simple and clear: prevent China, a geopolitical rival, from acquiring significant land near Arizona’s most sensitive assets.

That’s not complicated.

That’s common sense.

There is no justifiable reason for a foreign adversary, especially one like Communist China, to own land near U.S. military installations or energy infrastructure.

Allowing this opens the door to surveillance, sabotage, and other forms of subversion.

Hobbs’ claim that the bill was “ineffective” at stopping espionage misses the point.

Prohibiting hostile foreign land ownership is a proactive measure.

Once the damage is done—once surveillance is uncovered or sabotage is detected—it’s too late.

Her argument about “arbitrary enforcement” also falls flat.

The bill had been revised through a bipartisan process to specifically target government-linked Chinese entities, avoiding discrimination while focusing on genuine national security threats.

This veto is not just bad for Arizona—it undermines national security efforts across the country.

It sends a signal that land near our military bases is up for grabs to foreign powers with questionable intentions.

Thankfully, the Arizona legislature still has an opportunity to correct course by overriding the veto.

And Congress must act, swiftly and decisively, to set national standards before more strategic ground is lost.

The Bottom Line:

Governor Hobbs’ veto of S.B. 1109 ignores the growing threat of Chinese land acquisition near sensitive U.S. infrastructure.

The legislation was crafted to protect Arizonans and Americans from potential espionage and coercion.

This isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a national security issue.

Arizona’s lawmakers and Congress must act where the governor failed.

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