JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, has been selected by the Missouri Senate to chair the Select Committee on the Protection of Missouri Assets from Foreign Adversaries:

“Missouri refuses to sit idly by while the Communist Chinese government, and other hostile nations around the world, attempt to undermine our national sovereignty. From China’s continued attempts to acquire land in the United States and the state of Missouri to their recent act of aggression, which was the release of their spy balloon in our air space, we fully understand we cannot wait for the federal government to act.

“By the close of this legislative session, Missouri will send a clear message to China and any other adversarial regime that no amount of foreign occupation will be tolerated by Missourians.

“I am honored that my colleagues have entrusted me to lead this fight. We will get this done for the state of Missouri.”