CSA Urges McMaster to Investigate Foreign-backed Front Groups

(March 29, 2023) - Today, we have sent Governor McMaster a letter urging his administration to investigate the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club and other extremist front groups for potentially utilizing foreign investment and resources to influence policy in the state of South Carolina with the goal of undermining America’s food production, and economic and national security interests.

Just this week, the Associated Press published an article, “Amid strained US ties, China finds unlikely friend in Utah,” outlining Chinese in the state of Utah via investment in the Mormon Church, to influence state policy issue areas that have direct impact on national security. This is most certainly the tip of the iceberg of efforts from foreign entities to influence domestic policy.

South Carolina is no stranger to violations directly from hostile acts from foreign entities as illustrated by the Chinese spy balloon incident, which concluded with the foreign craft shot down off the coast. It’s critical that leaders remain vigilant to the multifaceted threat China poses to South Carolina and our country, not only militarily, but also politically and economically.

Read our letter by clicking on this here.

Press Release: CSA Urges DeSantis to Investigate Foreign-backed Non-Profit Environmental Groups

***********************************************************************

Common Sense America Urges Governor Desantis to Investigate the Center for Biological Diversity

Cites Previous Congressional Investigation into Foreign Influence Over Non-Profit Environmental Groups

(Washington, DC - 3/14/2023) - Today, Common Sense America (CSA) calls on Governor DeSantis to launch an investigation into foreign support of non-profit activist groups, including Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), who seek to influence public policy. This action follows CSA’s request to Congress two weeks ago to renew and expand the congressional investigations into foreign nations’ influence over domestic non-profits.

“China has had a tremendous amount of success infiltrating our nation in ways we have never even expected - buying up critical farmland, controlling technological supply chains, and leveraging public investment to facilitate their global expansion,” says Steve Crim, founder of Common Sense America. “As the Florida legislative session gets underway, it’s critical to be aware of the potential influence of foreign interests in environmental front groups that are operating right under our nose.”

CBD is active in multiple states, including Florida, and is attempting to influence state and local policy makers in order to undermine American policy. CBD has 195 staff members, almost half of them lawyers, and has spent more than $100 million of undisclosed funds over the last five years. In Florida, CBD is led by multiple lawyers and public relations experts who have teamed with other groups, such as EarthJustice, to file multiple lawsuits in Florida courts in an attempt to impact public policy

In 2018, Congress began investigating foreign nations, including China and Russia, for their influence over domestic non-profits, Center for Biological Diversity, EarthJustice, and others. Common Sense America has called on Congress to renew and expand the Committee on Natural Resources investigation to fully understand China’s influence in the environmental lobby and our food supply.

To learn more on how Common Sense America is bringing a common sense approach to our government on our website.

Download Common Sense America’s letter to Governor Desantis by clicking here.

Open Letter to Congress: Investigate Chinese Influence on Non-Profit Environmental Groups

Below is a link the letter we sent to Congressman Westerman encouraging him to reopen and expand the congressional investigation into potential foreign influence and funding into non-profit environmental groups.

Click here to view our letter.