Latest news with #PatHarrigan
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Ukraine's drone strike should alarm the U.S.—Here's why
Ukraine's recent drone attack that damaged up to 40 Russian military aircraft has sent a powerful message—not just to Moscow, but also to Washington. The success of this low-cost, high-impact strike should prompt urgent reflection on America's own vulnerabilities. Details remain scarce, but Kyiv reportedly launched dozens of inexpensive drones that penetrated Russian airspace, striking strategic bombers parked openly on military runways. The operation demonstrated not only Ukraine's ingenuity but also a frightening truth: advanced and costly military assets can be crippled by cheap, commercially modified drones. Military expert Fred Kagan posed a chilling question this week: 'What if those had been B-2 bombers targeted by Iranian drones launched from hidden containers—or worse, Chinese drones?' The U.S. bomber fleet today is much smaller than during the Cold War and concentrated at just a few bases. Publicly available satellite imagery shows B-52s lined up vulnerably at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, a tempting target for adversaries. Meanwhile, China is rapidly widening its edge in the drone market. According to Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina, China's drone output reached $29.4 billion in 2024—four times that of the U.S.—with significantly lower unit costs. The lesson from Ukraine's daring strike is stark: The U.S. must rethink its defense posture. In an age of asymmetric warfare, the most dangerous threats may come not from billion-dollar missiles, but from drones that cost a fraction of the price—and still devastate critical assets.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Human trafficking is everywhere. This new app makes reporting it quicker and easier
A new, first-of-its-kind app is now operating nationwide, empowering everyone to safely and anonymously report possible instances of human trafficking. This may involve either commercial, coerced sex or forced labor. Earlier this month, Safe House Project, Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC) and other advocates announced the national launch of Simply Report. The free mobile app allows downloaders to submit tips through its chat, which will provide guidance and share the information with the most appropriate law enforcement agency, if necessary. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The actual number of human trafficking instances is hard to pin down. According to the Florida Department of Children and Families' annual report, however, it received 2,137 reports of human trafficking in the 2023-24 year. Nearly 83% involved children reportedly living with a parent or other caregiver. 148 of all the reports came out of Duval County. In addition to reporting resources, the app also offers 24/7 support services for survivors in need. 'Simply Report protects survivors' anonymity and safety by ensuring that no information is shared with law enforcement without the survivor's expressed consent. Simply Report is trauma-informed and survivor-led,' said Safe House Project Here is how you can download the app:Apple,Google Play You can also reach out to Florida law enforcement directly by calling the human trafficking hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
New law would stop foreign adversaries from 'buying up our country' while Americans can't afford homes
FIRST ON FOX: Foreign entities are snatching up U.S. real estate, even when Americans cannot buy property in their nations, according to Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., who told Fox News Digital he is introducing legislation to fix the problem. His bill, the Real Estate Reciprocity Act, would slap a 50% tax on real estate purchases by foreign nationals and entities who have government ties if their governments do not allow Americans to buy property in those countries. It would require all foreign nationals who purchase land to file with the IRS and require the secretary of state to report each year on which foreign countries prohibit U.S. citizens from owning real estate. "While American families struggle to afford a home, foreign adversaries are buying up our country with cash – farmland, neighborhoods, even land near military bases. These regimes ban Americans from buying land on their soil, but think they can carve up ours," Harrigan told Fox News Digital in a statement. "My Real Estate Reciprocity Act stops it cold with a 50% tax on every purchase, mandatory disclosure, and protections for the ground we raise our kids on. If Americans can't buy land in your country, you won't be able to buy land in ours." A surprising number of nations have an outright ban or severe restrictions on foreigners purchasing land within their borders. Switzerland, New Zealand, Denmark, the Phillippines, Poland and Vietnam all have stringent rules on the books. In places like China and Saudi Arabia, foreigners cannot purchase land, but they can invest in real estate. Foreign buyers have long been accused of snatching up pricey apartments in metropolitan areas like New York City to park their assets, driving up housing costs. The bill comes amid a slew of legislation designed to address China's increasing encroachment on U.S. farmland, particularly near military bases. China owned around 350,000 acres of farmland across 27 states as of last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of 2022, foreign entities and individuals held 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land, which is nearly 2% of all land in the U.S. As of 2021, Canada was the largest foreign holder of U.S. land. At 12.8 million acres, Canadian land ownership was bigger than the states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined.
Epoch Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ban Foreign Adversaries From Buying Land
Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) introduced a 'While American families are being priced out of their own communities, hostile regimes are buying land with cash and zero accountability,' Harrigan said in a The bill targets foreign adversary nations such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, which all have For example, according to the Library of Congress, China allows foreign residents to buy real estate if they have resided locally for a certain length of time and meet other requirements. Iran allows foreign residents to buy real estate for personal or business use. Harrigan said foreign adversaries have exploited loopholes to purchase U.S. farmland and property near critical infrastructure while banning Americans from buying land in their countries, creating a 'double standard.' The bill, titled the Real Estate Reciprocity Act, also adds a 50 percent tax on other real estate purchases by citizens and entities of foreign adversary nations, exempting refugees accepted by the United States and public companies regularly traded on U.S. exchanges. Related Stories 5/19/2024 1/4/2024 In the U.S. Agriculture Department's latest foreign holdings Foreign investors from adversarial nations—China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia—represented less than 1 percent, according to the report, with Chinese investors holding 277,336 acres and North Korea none. Five Chinese companies made up the vast majority—94 percent—of farmland holdings: Murphy Brown LLC (Smithfield Foods) with 89,218 acres, Brazos Highland Properties with 86,994 acres, Murphy Brown of Missouri (Smithfield Foods/WH Holdings) with 43,091 acres, Harvest Texas LLC with 29,705 acres, and U.S. Agri-Chemicals Corp. with 11,263 acres. States that have seen the most Chinese investment in farmland have introduced measures to block future investment. Texas, where Chinese firms hold the most U.S. farmland with 123,708 acres, has passed similar North Carolina, with 44,263 acres held by Chinese companies, introduced In Missouri, which has 42,905 acres held by Chinese companies, the governor in 2024 issued an executive order Utah, where Chinese firms hold 33,035 acres of farmland, in 2024 signed a Florida, where Chinese firms hold 12,798 acres, was one of the earlier states to introduce legislation. In 2023, it enacted a law that blocked Chinese citizens from purchasing real estate or land. The law was
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New law would stop foreign adversaries from 'buying up our country' while Americans can't afford homes
FIRST ON FOX: Foreign entities are snatching up U.S. real estate, even when Americans cannot buy property in their nations, according to Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., who told Fox News Digital he is introducing legislation to fix the problem. His bill, the Real Estate Reciprocity Act, would slap a 50% tax on real estate purchases by foreign nationals and entities who have government ties if their governments do not allow Americans to buy property in those countries. It would require all foreign nationals who purchase land to file with the IRS and require the secretary of state to report each year on which foreign countries prohibit U.S. citizens from owning real estate. Texas Pushes Back Against Foreign Land Grab With 'Strongest Bill In The Nation' Against China, Iran, Russia "While American families struggle to afford a home, foreign adversaries are buying up our country with cash – farmland, neighborhoods, even land near military bases. These regimes ban Americans from buying land on their soil, but think they can carve up ours," Harrigan told Fox News Digital in a statement. "My Real Estate Reciprocity Act stops it cold with a 50% tax on every purchase, mandatory disclosure, and protections for the ground we raise our kids on. If Americans can't buy land in your country, you won't be able to buy land in ours." Read On The Fox News App A surprising number of nations have an outright ban or severe restrictions on foreigners purchasing land within their borders. Switzerland, New Zealand, Denmark, the Phillippines, Poland and Vietnam all have stringent rules on the books. In places like China and Saudi Arabia, foreigners cannot purchase land, but they can invest in real estate. Foreign buyers have long been accused of snatching up pricey apartments in metropolitan areas like New York City to park their assets, driving up housing costs. Senate Republicans Launch Effort To Ban Chinese Nationals From Buying Land In Us The bill comes amid a slew of legislation designed to address China's increasing encroachment on U.S. farmland, particularly near military bases. China owned around 350,000 acres of farmland across 27 states as of last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of 2022, foreign entities and individuals held 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land, which is nearly 2% of all land in the U.S. As of 2021, Canada was the largest foreign holder of U.S. land. At 12.8 million acres, Canadian land ownership was bigger than the states of New Hampshire and Vermont article source: New law would stop foreign adversaries from 'buying up our country' while Americans can't afford homes
