House committee advances Shaw's bill to criminalize hostile foreign land ownership

Shaw Bill on Foreign Land Ownership Advances from Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, secured committee passage of a bill that would add criminal penalties to Oklahoma’s existing prohibitions on hostile foreign ownership of land.

While state law already restricts certain foreign ownership of property, Shaw said current statutes lack meaningful criminal enforcement mechanisms. House Bill 1453 would close that gap by making violations a felony offense.

HB1453 would prohibit foreign governments, entities and businesses linked to countries subject to U.S. arms regulations, as well as entities of particular concern designated by the U.S. Department of State, from acquiring real property or agricultural land in Oklahoma.

40,000 plants, 1,000 pounds of marijuana seized in major drug and ICE bust

With every passing day, the choice Oklahoma made to legalize marijuana yields a progressively worse harvest:

More than 40,000 marijuana plants, 1,000 lbs. of processed marijuana seized in Organized Crime Task Force sting in Mayes, Craig counties

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 26, 2025) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that a large-scale bust of an illegal marijuana grow operation in Mayes and Craig counties led by his Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) has resulted in the confiscation of 40,723 marijuana plants and more than 1,000 pounds of processed marijuana.

Qi Wei Chen, a 35-year-old Chinese national, faces charges in Craig County for aggravated manufacturing of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), trafficking of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Cong. Lucas' bill to protect American farmland passes out of the House

Lucas Bill to Protect American Farmland Passes out of the House

Washington, DC (June 23rd) – Today the Agricultural Risk Review Act (H.R. 1713) passed on the House floor after Congressman Lucas spoke in support of the bill. You can watch his remarks by clicking here or watching below.

H.R. 1713 adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the interagency committee charged with reviewing the national security implications of foreign investments in the economy. The bill also requires CFIUS to consider referrals from USDA for reportable agricultural land transactions.

Cong. Brecheen, State Sen. Burns oppose hydroelectric plant with Chinese ties in SE Oklahoma

Congressman Josh Brecheen and State Sen. George Burns are both out with press releases detailing their opposition to a proposed hydroelectric power plant on the Kiamichi River in southeast Oklahoma that would provide power for Texas consumers, with Brecheen noting ties to a Chinese Communist Party-linked individual in the project. Read on for their comments:

Congressman Brecheen Opposes Chinese Communist Party-Linked Hydroelectric Power Plant Project: “We Will Do Everything in Our Power to Prevent this Harmful Project from Moving Forward”

Washington, D.C. (August 14th) – Congressman Josh Brecheen opposes the Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation’s (SEOPC) attempts to build a hydroelectric power plant on the Kiamichi River in LeFlore and Pushmataha Counties.

SEOPC has ties to a Chinese Communist Party-linked individual and the project would require the eminent domaining of 35,000 acres of Oklahoma land, including many homes, farms, and ranches in the surrounding area that have been owned by Oklahoma families for generations. All the power produced would then be sold in Texas, not Oklahoma.

Stitt signs bill aimed to fight illegal immigration crisis

For all of his bold words on illegal immigration, Gov. Stitt seems oddly timid in approaching the legislation that the Legislature sent to him on addressing the issue.

GOVERNOR STITT SIGNS BILL TO DEFEND OKLAHOMANS FROM BIDEN’S OPEN BORDER POLICIES, LAUNCHES TASK FORCE TO FIND LEGAL PATHWAYS FOR WORKERS

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 30, 2024) - Today, in response to the Biden administration’s failure to secure the southern border and stop the influx of illegal migration into our country, Governor Kevin Stitt signed HB 4156.

“I am disappointed this bill is necessary. Since President Biden took office in 2021, more than 10 million people have poured over the southern border,” said Gov. Stitt. “Countless individuals from across the globe, including thousands of Chinese nationals as well as people affiliated with terror organizations, have illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. Oklahomans are concerned by who could be lying in wait for an opportunity to bring harm to our country.”

AG Drummond to testify before House committee in impeachment hearing against Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

Drummond to testify before U.S. House committee in impeachment proceedings against Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 8, 2024) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond will testify Wednesday to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee as part of that panel’s impeachment proceedings against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The action comes in the wake of Mayorkas’ failure to secure the nation’s southwest border. 

Drummond was invited to testify due to his focus of ridding Oklahoma of the foreign nationals who have invaded the marijuana industry. He is expected to tell committee members how the recent influx of illegal immigrants into the U.S. has allowed criminal enterprises, primarily populated by Mexican and Chinese nationals, to jeopardize public safety through drug trafficking and other crimes. 

AG Drummond creates organized crime task force to combat illegal marijuana grows

Drummond creates organized crime task force to combat illegal grow operations

Citizen tipline added

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 20, 2023) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has created an Organized Crime Task Force to combat the scourge of illegal marijuana grow operations across Oklahoma and added a resource for citizens to report suspicious activity related to unlicensed operations.

Lucas' Agricultural Security Risk Review Act passed by House committee

Lucas Legislation on Foreign Land Acquisition Passes Through Committee

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after the House Financial Services Committee passed the Agricultural Security Risk Review Act, his legislation to add the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

"Protecting America’s agriculture security is a critical part of our national security. With an increasing amount of foreign investment in U.S. agriculture, including the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of CFIUS is long overdue." said Congressman Frank Lucas.  "I know firsthand just how important the security of our agricultural industry is, which is why I applaud my colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee in taking a critical step to make my longstanding priority law." 

Lankford demands Biden Admin investigate Chinese Communist Party influence in K-12 schools

Communist China has always tried to play the long game, putting a lot of resources into infiltrating Western governments, corporations, society, and culture. One way in which they've attempted to do this is by funding initiatives in all levels of education (K-12 and college). Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) is joining a number of colleagues in calling for the Biden administration to investigate the millions of dollars spent by the Chinese Communist Party in American classrooms.

Lankford aims at ending US reliance on Communist China for pharmaceuticals

This is an important issue that needs to be addressed. We cannot rely on Communist China for any essential industry. It's a national security issue.

Lankford Putting a Stop to US Reliance on China for Pharmaceuticals

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 21st) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), a member of the Senate Finance, Homeland Security, and Intelligence Committees, introduced the Pharmaceuticals Supply Chain Security Act to proactively reduce US dependence on China for our pharmaceutical supply chain.

Lucas: foreign ownership of farmland a detriment to national security

Foreign Ownership of Farmland A Detriment to National Security

by Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03)

Everyone in Oklahoma is keenly aware that food security is national security. A nation that cannot feed itself cannot hope to defend itself. 

Because of this, it is essential we protect our farmland, especially from foreign adversaries. For far too long we’ve seen entities - Chinese in particular - coming over and buying our agricultural land. That’s why I’ve led on several fronts to address this troubling issue. 

Sen. Lankford warns of Chinese-owned farmland in Oklahoma, files bill to protect agricultural land from foreign nationals

Lankford Pushes to Protect Oklahoma Farmland from Foreign Nationals

WASHINGTON, DC (March 30, 2023) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the bipartisan Security and Oversight of International Landholdings (SOIL) Act, along with Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Michael Bennet (D-CO), in order to provide oversight and transparency of purchases of US agricultural land that threaten national security. On the heels of a successful rejection of allowing more marijuana growth in the state, Lankford continues to respond to concerns from Oklahomans about the multiple recent purchases of Oklahoma agricultural land by foreign entities.

State Senate votes to strengthen law against illegal foreign ownership of Oklahoma land

Senate votes to strengthen law against illegal foreign ownership of Oklahoma land

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 8th) – A measure to stop the illegal purchase of Oklahoma land passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, worked with the attorney general’s office in crafting Senate Bill 212 to keep non-U.S. citizens from directly or indirectly, through a business entity or trust, owning land in the state unless otherwise authorized by law.

“Oklahoma land is as rich for growing crops as it is with the heritage of hard-working people.  It is no wonder a lot of people want land here, including those from other countries,” Bullard said. “It is not an excuse to allow foreign nationals to buy up one of our most valuable resources, especially when they are cartels and from communist parties. We cannot continue to auction our state off to the highest criminal bidder.”

Lankford, Inhofe move to protect Oklahoma ag land from foreign purchases

Lankford, Inhofe Move to Protect Oklahoma Ag Land from Foreign Purchases

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today introduced the Security and Oversight of International Landholdings (SOIL) Act in order to provide oversight and transparency of purchases of US agricultural land that threaten national security. Lankford continues to respond to concerns from Oklahomans about the multiple recent purchases of Oklahoma agricultural land by foreign entities.

Lucas, colleagues call on USDA to disclose foreign purchase of US farmland

I don't normally post press release about congressional letters, but this one I think rises to a level of importance. The purchase of American farmland by hostile entities such as Communist Chinese-connected individuals and corporations is something that must be stopped.

Lucas, Colleagues Call on USDA to Disclose Foreign Purchase of U.S. Farmland

Cheyenne, OK – Recently, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) joined Representatives Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting information about USDA’s process for compiling data and reporting on foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land. Foreign ownership of domestic agricultural land has risen sharply in recent years, with Chinese land holdings alone increasing from 13,720 acres to 352,140 acres between 2010 and 2020.

Small: Could Biden have a worse energy policy?

Could Biden have a worse energy policy?

By Jonathan Small

If one deliberately tried to devise a U.S. energy policy that would harm national interests and working families alike, it would look a lot like the Biden administration’s current policy.

The administration’s approach combines a willful ignorance of reality with a dismissive attitude towards working families. This could be seen when Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg blithely declared the people who would benefit most from driving electric cars “are often rural residents who have the most distances to drive, who burn the most gas.”

That rapid charging stations for electric cars are nonexistent in rural areas apparently never occurred to Buttigieg, nor did the reality that the price of electric cars makes them luxury items, not a practical purchase for the working class.

But that’s far from the worst aspects of Biden’s energy policy.

Lankford, Rubio call for 2022 Winter Olympics to be moved out of China over human rights abuses

Lankford, Rubio Call on Olympic Committee to Relocate 2022 Winter Games

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in response to China’s refusal to acknowledge and stop their egregious human rights abuses. These abuses include genocide, forced labor, and crimes against humanity as a direct attempt to forcibly “assimilate,” or eventually eliminate, vulnerable ethnic and religious groups such as the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region of northwest China.

“When our athletes are being instructed to leave their cellphones in the United States before heading to China, and we still do not know the wellbeing of tennis star Peng Shaui, we have a responsibility to question why the Olympic Committee is allowing China to host the 2022 Winter Olympic games,” said Lankford. “What’s more embarrassing is that we’re allowing the Chinese Communist Party to profit off of the games when it is responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity. Our athletes have trained, worked, and dedicated their lives to representing our nation. American Olympic athletes should not be punished or put in harm’s way while competing in this historic event. I’m calling on the Olympic Committee to relocate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games to another host country.”

Lucas helps introduce bill to give universities tools to protect COVID research from cyberattacks

Barr and Lucas Introduce Legislation to Give Universities Tools to Protect COVID-19 Research from Cyberattacks

Cheyenne, OK – Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced a bill today that will help universities and research institutions protect COVID-19 research from cyberattacks by China and Russia.

The bill will give universities and research institutions access to cybersecurity guidance developed specifically for their needs. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) currently sets cybersecurity standards and guidelines for federal agencies and provides voluntary best practices for private industry. This bill directs NIST to produce specific guidance, based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, to universities and other institutions conducting research on COVID-19.

Rep. Barr is a member of the China Task Force, which is working to counter emerging threats from the Chinese Communist Party. “Congress must act to safeguard critical scientific Coronavirus research being conducted at universities nationwide," said Barr. “My bill would have the Director of National Institute of Standards and Technology put forth guidance to preserve COVID-19 research and greatly reduce the threat of cyberattacks. This includes providing best practices and guidelines that will protect our national security.”

OK Dep't of Agriculture warns about unsolicited seeds from China

Unsolicited Seeds from Foreign Countries Impacting Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has received numerous reports from Oklahoman’s stating they have received unsolicited seeds from foreign countries. These seeds are sent in packages usually stating the contents are jewelry.

This act is known as agriculture smuggling. Although these items appear to be harmless, there is a potential of hidden threats in these seeds that could seriously threaten U.S. agriculture and our natural resources. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.

If you receive a package of these seeds that you did not order, please carefully follow the following instructions:

Cong. Hern introduces bill to force transparency from universities who accept foreign funding

Hern introduces the America: FIRST Act, forcing transparency from universities who accept foreign funding

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the America: Foreign Influence Resistance Starts with Transparency (America: FIRST) Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation seeks to force transparency from universities who receive foreign funding, in particular from the professors and programs who promote the interests of those foreign nations.

“It’s high time universities and professors get transparent about foreign funding,” Rep. Hern said. “The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations described universities as a ‘black hole’ for foreign gifts. In fact, a Department of Education investigation uncovered nearly $6 billion in undisclosed gifts from just eight universities between June 2019 and February 2020 in direct violation of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act.

“Laws exist that require universities to report foreign funding over $250,000 to the Department of Education, but so much can fall under the radar with a requirement that high. Additionally, there are currently no laws that require individual professors and departments to disclose funding directly to the American public. Universities and their professors occupy a position of public trust in this country, and public trust comes with an obligation for public transparency.”