By Scout Nelson
U.S. lawmakers are continuing efforts to protect American farmland and critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries such as China. Representative Dusty Johnson joined members of the Select Committee on China to introduce the Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites from Foreign Adversaries Act. The proposed legislation focuses on limiting foreign ownership of farmland and land near important American facilities.
The bill aims to strengthen national security protections by expanding the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, also known as CFIUS. Current federal law limits the committee’s authority over many real estate purchases, especially farmland and property near military locations. Lawmakers believe this creates security risks when foreign adversaries purchase sensitive American land.
“I’ve been sounding the alarm for years that China has no good intentions when they purchase U.S. farmland, ag businesses, or land near military bases,” said Johnson. “The Chinese Communist Party is focused on collecting our private data, influencing our food supply, and threatening our national security.”
The legislation would require mandatory federal reviews for foreign adversary land purchases involving farmland, critical infrastructure, or military sites. It would also add food security and biosecurity concerns as major factors during federal investigations of foreign investments.
Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar said protecting farmland is directly connected to protecting national security. He explained that the bill would close legal loopholes and give the federal government stronger authority to stop risky land purchases before they happen.
The proposal would also add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS during reviews involving agriculture and biotechnology transactions. In addition, foreign adversary purchases of farmland and critical infrastructure would face a presumption of denial unless security concerns are resolved.
Several lawmakers from both political parties support the bill. Supporters believe the legislation will strengthen food security, protect military facilities, and reduce foreign influence over important American resources and infrastructure.
Click here to view the bill text.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: South Dakota, Government & Policy