July 17, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen food and national security. A companion bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously.
The Agricultural Risk Review Act permanently adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for agriculture transactions. CFIUS is an interagency committee tasked with reviewing transactions involving foreign investment in the United States to determine the national security implications.
“Formalizing the Secretary of Agriculture’s role in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is critical to our national security. Maryland is home to many vital, sensitive sites including Fort Meade, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Camp David, and more. I will do everything in my power to make sure these locations are safe from foreign adversaries so that Maryland’s agricultural communities can remain resilient and continue to support our nation’s food security,” said Senator Angela Alsobrooks.
“As farmers in Maryland, we believe that the impact of foreign investment in agriculture and other institutions in the United States should be monitored by our partners in government. This commonsense bill gives the agricultural community a key voice in foreign investment decisions to safeguard American farms. We appreciate Senator Alsobrooks for her attention to this matter and introduction of this bipartisan legislation,” said Maryland Farm Bureau President, Jamie Raley.
“Our land, our food supply, and our way of life are vital to national security. Including the Secretary of Agriculture in foreign investment reviews is just common sense. No one understands the value and vulnerability of our agricultural assets better than the people who work the land. This bill ensures our voices are at the table when decisions are made that could affect the future of American farming and we are grateful for Sen. Alsobrooks’ support.” Lindsay Thompson, Executive Director, Maryland Grain Producers Association
“We’ve made tremendous progress over the last few years in our efforts to safeguard our agricultural systems and food supply chains against adversaries,” said Senator Cramer. “After Grand Forks’ experience with Fufeng, we now know how essential it is to add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS. Foreign land purchases, especially near sensitive sites, are a threat to both our national and food security. Republicans and Democrats both understand the importance of protecting food supply chains. President Trump was right to put Secretary Rollins on CFIUS. I look forward to making his effort permanent with the Agricultural Risk Review Act.”
“Now more than ever, it is imperative we protect our farmland and secure our food supply,” said Senator Lummis. “This commonsense legislation ensures the Secretary of Agriculture has a seat on the committee that reviews foreign acquisitions of American land and gives the secretary a voice when it comes to safeguarding our agriculture industry. Farm and food security are national security, and I am proud to join my colleagues in protecting Wyoming land and agriculture.”
“Food security is national security,” said Senator Fetterman. “The bipartisan Agriculture Risk Review Act finally locks in what I’ve said before: the Agriculture Secretary belongs at the CFIUS table every time a deal touches our farms, our food supply, or the businesses that keep them moving. The White House directive is a good start, but this bill makes it permanent because safeguarding our fields and our food shouldn’t depend on who’s sitting in the Oval Office. I’ll keep working to limit CCP and other adversary investment in our nation’s farmland.”
Click here for bill text.
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