Mobile Courant

U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Jim Banks of Indiana have reintroduced the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act, aiming to restrict the sale of American farmland to individuals or entities linked to the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia. This legislative effort follows Tuberville's recent reintroduction of the Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act, which seeks enhanced scrutiny on foreign acquisitions of U.S. farmland.

Senator Tuberville emphasized the potential national security risks posed by foreign ownership in the agricultural sector. "For too long, we’ve sat by while foreign nations have been trying to take over our nation’s agricultural industry," he stated. "Our adversaries are always looking for any way to get their foot in the door and jeopardize our national security—including our agricultural assets."

Senator Banks echoed these concerns about food security as a matter of national security: "Food security is national security. Leaving America’s basic needs vulnerable to extortion by foreign control is not an option."

In addition to Senators Tuberville and Banks' efforts in the Senate, Representative Dale Strong from Alabama has introduced companion legislation in the House. Congressman Strong expressed concern about Chinese investments near sensitive sites: "Chinese investment in U.S. farmland...presents an enormous threat not only to our food, fiber, and fuel markets but also to our national security."

The bill aims to address increasing foreign investment in U.S. agriculture, particularly from China. According to USDA data from December 2023, foreign investors own around 45 million acres of U.S. agricultural land—an increase of over 1.5 million acres within one year.

Tuberville has consistently voiced opposition against foreign ownership impacting America's food supply chain as part of his role on the Senate Agriculture Committee.