Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025
Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Plain Language Summary: Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025 **What the bill does:** This bill would strengthen oversight of foreign purchases of American agricultural land by requiring the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)—a government agency that reviews foreign investments for national security concerns—to review agricultural land sales referred by the Department of Agriculture. Currently, CFIUS has authority to review certain foreign investments, but this bill would specifically require them to determine whether agricultural land purchases by foreign buyers pose a national security risk before allowing the transactions to proceed. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects foreign investors or companies seeking to purchase agricultural land in the United States, as well as American farmers and agricultural businesses considering selling land to foreign buyers.
The bill appears to target concerns about adversarial countries (mentioned in the bill's subjects include China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) acquiring U.S. farmland. **Current status:** The bill (HR 1576) was introduced by Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025This bill makes changes to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), including by requiring CFIUS to determine whether a national security review is necessary for reportable agricultural land transactions that are referred by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). (CFIUS oversees the national security risks of certain foreign investment in the United States. CFIUS has the authority to review covered transactions, which include mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers that could result in foreign control of a U.S. business; certain investments in businesses involved in critical technologies, critical infrastructure, or sensitive personal data; and certain real estate transactions.)Specifically, the bill directs CFIUS to, after receiving notification from USDA, determine (1) whether a reportable agricultural land transaction is a covered transaction, and (2) whether CFIUS should initiate a national security review or take another action with respect to the transaction. Reportable agricultural land transaction means a transaction (1) that USDA has reason to believe is a covered transaction; (2) that involves the acquisition of an interest in agricultural land by a foreign person of China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran; and (3) with respect to which a foreign person is required to submit a report to USDA regarding their agricultural land transactions.The bill also expands the membership of CFIUS to include the Secretary of Agriculture for covered transactions that involve agricultural land, agricultural biotechnology, or the agriculture industry (e.g., agricultural transportation, storage, and processing).
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.