WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced a trio of bills to expose and address national security risks posed by foreign adversaries who are leveraging Sister City partnerships, opaque real estate purchases, and agricultural land acquisitions to embed themselves in U.S. communities. The District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act, the Foreign Property Ownership Transparency Act, and the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for Foreign Adversaries Act would help identify vulnerabilities, close backdoor influence channels, and protect American land and institutions from adversarial exploitation. This effort builds on the Trump administration’s executive action barring farmland sales to buyers linked to China and other foreign adversaries.

“The United States cannot allow foreign adversaries like Communist China to quietly embed themselves in our communities and near our critical infrastructure,” said Senator Blackburn.“From Sister City agreements that legitimize hostile regimes, to opaque real estate purchases that demand greater transparency, to buying up farmland near our military bases, we have a responsibility to identify and address these threats. This legislative package shines a light on these activities and will help protect American property and sovereignty.”

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SISTER CITY INTEGRITY ACT

• As of July 10, 2025, Washington, D.C., has 15 signed Sister City agreements, including with jurisdictions in countries designated as foreign adversaries.
• These Sister City relationships may provide adversarial regimes with diplomatic legitimacy, opportunities for influence operations, and access to sensitive U.S. political, academic, or civic institutions through soft-power channels such as tourism and investment. 

• The District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act would prohibit Washington, D.C. from maintaining Sister City relationships with jurisdictions in foreign adversary countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, require termination of existing relationships within 180 days, and bar the use of federal funds for international outreach unless D.C. certifies compliance.

Click here for bill text.

THE FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP TRANSPARENCY ACT

• Concerns are growing about housing access and national security risks stemming from opaque foreign real estate investments.

• Reports have documented how foreign buyers—especially those using anonymous shell entities—are distorting U.S. housing markets and threatening national security.

• The Foreign Property Ownership Transparency Act would:

• Direct the Comptroller General to study the extent and impact of foreign purchases of U.S. residential real estate, including purchases made through shell companies or trusts;

• Analyze trends in foreign residential real estate purchases since 2015, including geographic concentration and ownership structures;
  
  
• Assess the implications on housing affordability and proximity to sensitive national security sites; and

• Require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to consult with state and local housing authorities and deliver policy recommendations to Congress, including potential legislative or regulatory actions.

 Click here for bill text.

THE PROHIBITION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR FOREIGN ADVERSARIES ACT

• Chinese buyers own 370,000 acres of U.S. farmland, including near key military installations, raising concern about foreign espionage and drone strikes. 
  
  
• The Prohibition of Agricultural Land for Foreign Adversaries Act would prohibit nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and agents, trustees, or fiduciaries associated with an adversarial country from purchasing agricultural land in the U.S. 
  
  
• This legislation would also prohibit these same individuals from benefiting from United States Department of Agriculture programs.

Click here for bill text.