Stefanik and Crawford Reintroduce Bill to Safeguard U.S. Agriculture

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik from New York, alongside Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford from Arkansas, has reintroduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act. This legislation aims to protect U.S. national security by preventing foreign adversaries from acquiring or controlling agricultural land and businesses within the United States.

Stefanik emphasized the potential threat posed by foreign entities, particularly citing Communist China, which she claims has been purchasing U.S. agricultural land. She expressed concerns that such actions could undermine food security and provide adversaries with access to sensitive military installations. “Food security is national security,” Stefanik stated in a press release. “I am proud to reintroduce this legislation that will stand up against our foreign adversaries as they attempt to assert control over our agriculture industry.”

The Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act seeks to ensure that the United States Department of Agriculture is actively involved in reviewing any foreign acquisitions of American agricultural assets. The bill aims to create a blacklist of adversarial nations, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, preventing them from gaining ownership of U.S. agricultural land.

Stefanik is clear about the implications of allowing foreign ownership of agricultural assets. “The United States cannot allow malign ownership bids of American assets to undermine the efforts of our farmers, whose hard work feeds and fuels our communities,” she asserted. She further stated, “We cannot allow our adversaries to control land near our military installations, nor can we cede any ownership of our food supply to those who are actively working against our security interests.”

The reintroduction of this act reflects ongoing tensions surrounding national security and food sovereignty in the United States. As foreign investments in agricultural land continue to rise, the legislation aims to safeguard the integrity and safety of American agricultural resources.

In a global environment where food supply chains are increasingly intertwined with national security concerns, the implications of this bill could have significant effects on U.S. agricultural policies and foreign relations. The next steps for the legislation will involve discussions in Congress as lawmakers evaluate its potential impact on both farmers and national security.