Feenstra Votes to Strengthen Oversight of Foreign Purchases of American Farmland

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which would add the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to thoroughly review purchases of American farmland by foreign adversaries, including China.

“On my 36 County Tour and Feenstra Agriculture Tour, I have repeatedly heard from Iowans – especially our farmers – about the importance of protecting our farmland from foreign adversaries. It is a major concern for me that countries like China have increased purchases of American farmland tenfold over the last decade to control our land and threaten our food, energy, and national security,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States creates just another safeguard to ensure that our farmland does not fall into the hands of our enemies. I will continue to work to prevent China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, or any of our foreign adversaries from buying our fertile and productive farmland.”

Last year, an amendment led by Feenstra to ban China from buying American farmland suitable for domestic energy production passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Lower Energy Costs Act.

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