Spanberger, Strong Work to Block Foreign Adversaries —Like the CCP — from Buying U.S. Farmland

May 17, 2023
Agriculture
National Defense & Foreign Affairs
Press

Companion Legislation is Led in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Braun, Tester, Rubio, & Tuberville

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Dale. W Strong (R-AL-05) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) introduced the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act.

This bipartisan legislation would prohibit the purchase or lease of U.S. agricultural land by individuals associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and other foreign adversaries — including Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Additionally, the bill would address gaps in the Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to increase transparency and accurate reporting related to foreign land ownership in the United States.

“The United States can no longer turn a blind eye to the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party. As the CCP looks to exploit weaknesses in our free and open society, it is our responsibility to ensure that the American people are protected against those who seek to undermine our national interest. This legislation is crucial to ensure our adversaries do not interfere with our food and fiber market by owning agriculture land,” said Strong.

“As a former CIA case officer, I recognize the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party’s aggressive influence campaigns, as well as its attempts to target U.S. national security interests through seemingly innocuous transactions. And as the only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, I’m committed to protecting America’s farms and farm families from foreign threats,” said Spanberger. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill that recognizes the threats posed by not just by the CCP — but also Russia, Iran, and North Korea. If buying up American farmland is a tool for eroding our nation’s food security, economic security, and national security, then we need to be prepared to take steps to push back against these efforts.”

Currently, the United States lacks accurate data on foreign land ownership and investment due to loopholes and inaccurate reporting.

“We must be able to effectively monitor who is growing, producing, and marketing our food safety and agriculture products. Lacking that ability is a clear threat to national security,” added Strong.

The Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act would also prohibit individuals associated with the governments of these foreign adversaries from participating in certain U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. These restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. 

BACKGROUND

Today’s introduction marks growing bipartisan momentum behind the effort to crack down on CCP-affiliated farmland purchases across the country. In March 2023, a companion bill to the Strong-Spanberger legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Jon Tester (D-MT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).

In a March 16 hearing, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack testified that, as of 2021, 400,000 acres of U.S. farmland are owned by Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia. Additionally, USDA data shows that from 2010 to 2020, Chinese ownership of U.S farmland has increased from $81 million to $1.8 billion.

###

Recent Posts


Oct 11, 2024
Social Security, Medicare, & Retirement

NEW: Spanberger Pens Op-Ed Urging Colleagues to Vote to Pass Her Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate WEP & GPO

The Bipartisan “Social Security Fairness Act” Would Eliminate Two Provisions of the “Social Security Act” That Unfairly Reduce Benefits for Millions of Americans Who Have Devoted Much of Their Careers to Public Service Thanks to the Congresswoman’s Effort to Force a Vote on the Legislation, the “Social Security Fairness Act” Will Come to the U.S. […]



Oct 10, 2024
Energy & Environment

Spanberger Urges Speaker Johnson to Call U.S. House Back to Capitol Hill to Pass Emergency Appropriations Funding Following Hurricanes Helene & Milton

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger is urging U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to call Members of Congress back to Capitol Hill to pass supplemental appropriations funds to support Virginia’s communities and communities across the Southeastern United State in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In a letter to Speaker Johnson, Spanberger and […]



Oct 10, 2024
Good Governance

NEW: Spanberger Ranked #1 Most Collaborative Member of Congress from Virginia, #3 in the Country

An “A” Bridge Grade is Given to Members of Congress Who Exemplify Governing Behaviors that Bridge Our Country Rather than Divide It WOODBRIDGE, Va. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger this week was ranked as the most collaborative Member of Congress from Virginia — and the third most collaborative lawmaker on Capitol Hill. Bridge Grades score […]