Texas House advances a bill barring land sales to people from certain countries
The House gave preliminary approval to SB 17 — a ban on land purchases from certain countries, with a late amendment letting the governor add more at will. Wu called it “the definition of overreach.”
The Texas House gave preliminary approval (85–60) to Senate Bill 17, which would bar land purchases by people and entities from countries deemed national-security threats — and, via a late amendment, let the governor add more countries at will. Wu called that amendment “the definition of overreach.”
Wu, who immigrated from China as a child, warned the ban would sweep in all Asian communities, not just Chinese nationals — and predicted it would push Asian American voters toward Democrats in 2026.
Nobody knows the difference between Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean … When they look for people to assault, they don’t really care what you are. They care that you have Asian face. — Rep. Gene Wu
Help Gene win District 137.
Stories like this one are why this seat matters. The campaign runs on neighbors who chip in and knock on doors — both take about a minute to start.
Keep reading
- ‘We’re here to save the damn country’: Gene Wu launches the New Southern StrategyJun 28, 2026 · WFAA — Inside Texas PoliticsRead →
- Texas leader Gene Wu sounds alarm on rising Asian hateJun 8, 2026 · AsAm NewsRead →
- Texas Supreme Court rejects Abbott effort to remove Democrats from officeMay 15, 2026 · The New York TimesRead →