Exclusive: Chip Roy introduces key bill protecting American land from CCP influence



Republican Rep. Chip Roy (Texas) introduced legislation Tuesday that would bar members of the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing land in the United States, according to the bill text obtained exclusively by Blaze News.

The Securing America's Land from Foreign Interference Act would direct the president to "take actions as may be necessary" to prevent the purchase of public or private land in the United States by members of the CCP or under the influence of the CCP.

'If the Soviets were doing this 50 years ago, Congress would have already taken action; we need to look at the CCP with the same seriousness.'

China currently controls over 270,000 acres of land in the United States, with foreign investors overall controlling nearly 45 million acres of U.S. farmland, according to the latest data published by the Department of Agriculture.

"The Chinese Communist Party shouldn't be able to buy American land, and they especially shouldn't be able to buy our farmland or land near critical infrastructure like military bases, like we let them do now," Roy told Blaze News.

"If the Soviets were doing this 50 years ago, Congress would have already taken action; we need to look at the CCP with the same seriousness," Roy added.

In Texas alone, a Chinese-based energy company has purchased 130,000 acres of land close to Laughlin Air Force Base. Another Chinese company called Fufeng Group also purchased 300 acres of farmland just 12 miles from the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

"That's why I first introduced the original language of this bill back in 2021," Roy told Blaze News. "Now — with a federal trifecta in the House, Senate and White House — Republicans have no excuse not to force this issue and pass legislation barring the CCP from buying any American soil."

Roy's bill is co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Brandon Gill of Texas, Eric Burlison of Missouri, Pat Fallon of Texas, Mark Green of Tennessee, Troy Nehls of Texas, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Pete Stauber of Minnesota, Randy Weber of Texas, and Nathaniel Moran of Texas.

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BEASTMODE: CNN’s Ratings Are Lower Than 'SpongeBob' Reruns, GOP Rep Tells Jim Acosta

Rep. Tim Burchett (R., Tenn.) skewered CNN’s poor ratings Wednesday, telling anchor Jim Acosta that SpongeBob SquarePants reruns and Cartoon Network get more viewers.

The post BEASTMODE: CNN’s Ratings Are Lower Than 'SpongeBob' Reruns, GOP Rep Tells Jim Acosta appeared first on .

The Lumbee are NOT a federally recognized tribe, so why are they receiving so many tax dollars?!



The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina may be recognized by the state, but it has never succeeded in gaining the federal recognition it feels it deserves. While the 1956 Lumbee Act recognized the tribe as Native American, the “people of the dark water” have never received the status, sovereignty, and benefits of a federally recognized tribe.

But that hasn’t stopped the tribe from receiving years of federal support and the ear of certain politicians who purport to take the tribe’s status seriously.

One of those politicians is Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), who just recently stepped down from his position in Congress. Instead of running for re-election, Bishop competed against Democrat Jeff Jackson in the race for North Carolina attorney general and lost.

In his farewell speech, Bishop chose to highlight the Lumbee Tribe’s ongoing quest for federal recognition (and more tax dollars, of course).

“This is my final week in Congress, and many come to the floor and ruminate over their service. As for me, I can't think of a better way to spend my final words on the floor than in support of recognition for the Lumbee Tribe,” Bishop began.

“The Lumbee have been pursuing justice since the mid-1800s,” he pleaded before highlighting the “their struggle as a people against racial discrimination and their deep and abiding community orientation around the life-changing power of education.”

Pat Gray of “Pat Gray Unleashed” can’t help but laugh at both Bishop and the Lumbee Tribe’s incessant demands for more tax dollars when there are serious debates over the tribe's status.

He is thankful that other politicians, like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), for example, are calling a spade a spade.

Burchett was pessimistic about the Lumbee Fairness Act that aimed to grant the tribe federal recognition. The bill passed the House but was not considered by the Senate this Congress.

The bill, Burchett said, would “take it to the taxpayers,” as it would cost “close to a billion dollars” and make the Lumbee Tribe the “largest federally recognized tribe in the United States.”

“Terrible idea,” he said bluntly.

“I love Tim Burchett,” laughs Keith Malinak.

To hear the rest of the “Unleashed” team’s commentary, watch the clip above.

Want more from Pat Gray?

To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Trump gives Mike Johnson last-minute boost before speaker vote



President-elect Donald Trump wished Mike Johnson "good luck" ahead of the speaker's bid for re-election on Friday.

To secure a second term as speaker, Johnson needs to secure 218 votes of the 219 Republican members in the House, meaning he can afford only one GOP "no" vote. Although Republicans are operating within a historically narrow majority, several fiscally conservative Republicans are expected to be roadblocks for Johnson's speakership.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has already publicly committed not to vote for Johnson. Other Republicans like Chip Roy of Texas, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Michael Cloud of Texas have remained undecided, with some asking for further commitments from the speaker.

All 215 Democrats are expected to be present for the vote, tightening Johnson's already slim margins.

"Good luck today for Speaker Mike Johnson, a fine man of great ability, who is very close to having 100% support," Trump said in a Friday post on Truth Social. "A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129 year most consequential Presidential Election!! - A BIG AFFIRMATION, INDEED. MAGA!"

"Thank you, President Trump!" Johnson said in response. "Today is a new day in America. Congressional Republicans must stay united to quickly deliver President Trump’s America First agenda. Let’s get it done."

Trump officially endorsed Johnson on Monday following the funding debacle in mid-December. Although Republican lawmakers, MAGA allies, and Trump himself were displeased with Johnson's handling of the spending fight, the president-elect ultimately backed the speaker for another term.

"The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration," Trump said in a Truth Social post on Monday. "Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!"

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Republican holdouts leave Mike Johnson's speakership hanging in the balance



Speaker Mike Johnson's re-election is set to take place Friday, but he may not have enough support within the Republican conference to secure another term.

Although Johnson has obtained the support of President-elect Donald Trump, several Republican lawmakers are holding out on endorsing the speaker. Republicans hold an even narrower four-seat majority this Congress, giving Johnson very little wiggle room.

'Johnson's issue is that his two outspoken holdouts currently are also the two people left who endorsed Trump's opponent in the primary, so I don't see them going back in the Johnson camp with just pressure from Trump.'

Republicans hold 219 seats while Democrats hold 215. Assuming the two parties vote in lock-step, Johnson can afford only one Republican "no" vote, which has already been claimed by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky. If Johnson receives two "no" votes, his support will be tied at 217 votes in favor and 217 votes against his speakership.

"I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan," Massie said. "We’ve seen Johnson partner with the Democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget."

"Mike Johnson is the next Paul Ryan," Massie said. "On January 3rd, 2025, I won’t be voting for Mike Johnson. I hope my colleague will join me because history will not give America another 'do-over.'"

US Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and US Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) walk to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's (R-La.) office at the US Capitol on April 17, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)

There is some leeway for Johnson if some Republican defectors vote "present" rather than joining forces with Democrats to strike down his speakership. As of this writing, several Republican lawmakers have signaled that they are undecided on whether they would support Johnson.

"The reason I am still undecided on the Speaker vote (as opposed to a hard no) is it's not ALL the fault of Speaker Johnson & my desire is to give him grace & Trump room to deliver on a strong agenda for which we were elected," Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said. "But something MUST change."

Roy primarily cited the most recent spending fight that took place right before Christmas in which Johnson first introduced a 1,547-page funding bill. The original bill was struck down by GOP defectors as well as Trump's political allies before the House even had the opportunity to vote for it. Eventually, a slimmer 116-page continuing resolution was introduced, narrowly averting a Christmas shutdown.

Congress' annual Christmas tradition of jamming through a Christmas omnibus all "could have been avoided with any serious planning & communication," Roy said, "but instead coordinated efforts were undertaken to vilify those (half NOT freedom caucus) who honored their promise to constituents not to do so."

With Massie's "no" vote and Roy's potential holdout, Johnson's speakership would be tanked on Friday. Notably, both Massie and Roy supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential primary, signaling they are less influenced by Trump's endorsement of Johnson than other lawmakers are.

"I don't see how Johnson gets 218 without major commitments to conservatives at this point," a House Republican aide told Blaze News. "Johnson's issue is that his two outspoken holdouts currently are also the two people left who endorsed Trump's opponent in the primary, so I don't see them going back in the Johnson camp with just pressure from Trump. Gonna need more than that at this point."

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump listens as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks during a press conference at Mr. Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on April 12, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Although Roy and Massie have been the most outspoken about Johnson's speakership, several other Republicans have expressed hesitancy.

"I'm going to talk to Mike and raise any concerns I have," Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee told Blaze News. "As of right now I'm still undecided."

Republican Rep. Michael Cloud of Texas also told Blaze News that he "has no comment on the Speaker's race at this time." Following the funding debacle in December, Cloud signaled that he would be open to "personnel changes" to ensure Trump's agenda is delivered in the 119th Congress.

"The chaos of this past week was both predictable and avoidable," Cloud said. "Weeks ago, I and others warned of these pinch points and urged leadership to involve members in crafting solutions. Unfortunately, we were ignored and locked out of the process. It wasn’t the rank-and-file members who failed this week—it was a failure of leadership that brought us here."

"Come January, we will need to revisit how Congress operates to ensure it is structured to deliver President Trump’s MAGA agenda," Cloud continued. "Whether that requires personnel changes, process reforms, or both will be a critical discussion we must have."

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'Dark and under cover': Congress fails to finalize funding bill just days from the deadline



With just days to avert a government shutdown, Congress has not yet finalized its funding bill, raising concerns for several House Republicans.

Lawmakers have begun to feel the pressure ahead of the looming funding deadline of Friday. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was expected to put forward the funding bill on Sunday but failed to do so at the last minute, as leadership continues to negotiate the contents of the bill.

'If Congress refuses to hold ourselves accountable, the American people rightfully can't trust us to hold bad actors in the bureaucratic state accountable.'

As a result, several Republican lawmakers have expressed skepticism ahead of the spending fight, citing fiscal concerns and noting the lack of transparency.

"We're talking about funding our government, and nobody has even seen the bill text," Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee told Blaze News. "That's how this place likes to operate ... in the dark and under cover. I'm a no unless someone proves me otherwise."

"The only way to beat the swamp is to reject legislating by crisis with this lie of an unlimited checkbook," Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas told Blaze News. "Yet here we are."

The pushback from conservatives in the House echoes arguments made during the previous spending fight in September.

"Congress is voting on legislation this week that will fund the entire federal government," Republican Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona said in a Monday post on X. "The text of the legislation has still not been released to the public. Does this process make you more or less confident in Congress?"

Due to the increasingly narrow Republican majority in the House, Johnson will have to obtain bipartisan support to pass a continuing resolution, inevitably including policy compromises. While Johnson will likely have to negotiate with all ideological factions in the House, hard-line conservatives are expected to hold out.

"The House has repeatedly ignored the law requiring passage of twelve individual appropriations bills by the end of June," Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona told Blaze News. "Instead, my colleagues are taking the easy way out — ignoring the demands of their constituencies — time and time again extending bloated spending levels and terrible policies."

"If Congress refuses to hold ourselves accountable, the American people rightfully can't trust us to hold bad actors in the bureaucratic state accountable."

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Mike Johnson Unveils New Spending Bill With Bolstered Secret Service Funding

'Most prudent path forward'

‘Insulting Charade’: GOP Reps Slam Mike Johnson For Resurrecting ‘Zombie’ Funding Bill

'Please quit insulting our constituents'

‘Failure Theater’: Republicans Openly Revolt Against Mike Johnson’s Latest Spending Bill

'Keep adding $1 trillion to our debt every 100 days'