Senators have introduced legislation that will increase the scrutiny of foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land and industries.

The bill was spearheaded by Republican Senator Mike Braun of Indiana. It adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent Member to the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States.

The role of the Agriculture Secretary at CFIUS is to cover all transactions that involve agricultural land, agricultural biotechnology or transportation, storage and processing agricultural products.

The legislation also requires a CFIUS assessment of purchases of farmland by nations that are hostile, such as China and North Korea.

The bill allows the secretary of Agriculture to report to CFIUS both transactions involving foreign nationals from China or North Korea and those transactions that are subject to Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act reporting.

The Senate bill is a companion to a House bill that was introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (Washington Republican). The House is expected take up the bill this week.

The legislators say that the legislation will provide much needed extra oversight. The USDA reports that over 43.4 millions acres of U.S. agriculture land are owned by foreigners.

Mr. Braun stated that Chinese farmland ownership in America has increased by more than 20 times over the last decade.

He said: “The amount American soil that is in the hands our foreign enemies will increase if we don’t implement restrictions and oversee nations who compromise our national safety and agricultural supply chains,” “I am proud to lead the effort to protect American food and farms.”

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Republican from Alabama) criticized President Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris in this regard for their lack of action. He claimed that they “bow to China whenever they can — even when it’s about our agriculture industry”.

Tuberville stated that “in the last decade, we’ve seen an increase of more than 35% in foreign land purchase — including my home state of Alabama.” “We cannot allow our enemies like China, Russia and North Korea to negatively impact our agricultural supply chain and food production.”

Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, a Democrat, stated that it is “unacceptable” to allow foreign enemies like the Chinese Communist Party, to buy U.S. agricultural land.

“Allowing foreign enemies like the Chinese Communist Party, to purchase American farmland or agribusinesses poses an unacceptable threat to our national security and food security,” said Mr. Tester. “Congress must act. Our bipartisan bill will provide much-needed oversight in order to stop bad actors that want to undermine our nation.”

Early in the year, lawmakers raised concerns about foreign investments in farmland after hearing reports of Chinese companies purchasing land near military bases.

More than 20 states have already prohibited or restricted foreigners, businesses or governments from owning or acquiring an interest in agricultural land.