This bill would require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review certain transactions involving the purchase of American farmland by foreign entities, to ensure these deals don't pose a national security risk.
Latest Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 782.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review certain transactions involving the purchase of American farmland by foreign entities, to ensure these deals don't pose a national security risk.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Safeguarding American Farms from Foreign Influence Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to determine whether a national security review is necessary for reportable agricultural land transactions that are referred by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). (CFIUS oversees the national security risks of certain foreign investment in the United States. CFIUS has the authority to review covered transactions, which include mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers that could result in foreign control of a U.S. business; certain noncontrolling investments in businesses involved in critical technologies, critical infrastructure, or sensitive personal data; and certain real estate transactions. The President may, at the recommendation of CFIUS, suspend or prohibit transactions that threaten to impair U.S. national security.)</p><p>Specifically, the bill directs CFIUS to, within 30 days of receiving notification from USDA, determine (1) whether a reportable agricultural land transaction is a covered transaction, and (2) whether CFIUS should initiate a national security review or take another action with respect to the transaction. </p><p>Under this bill, <em>reportable agricultural land transaction</em> means a transaction (1) that USDA has reason to believe is a covered transaction; (2) that involves the acquisition of an interest in agricultural land by a foreign person, other than by a foreign person of an excepted foreign state or an excepted real estate foreign state, as such terms are defined in CFIUS regulations; and (3) with respect to which a foreign person is required to submit a report to USDA regarding their agricultural land transactions.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
The bill directs CFIUS to review agricultural land transactions involving foreign buyers, within 30 days of being notified by the Department of Agriculture.
CFIUS would determine if the transaction is a 'covered transaction' that could threaten national security, and whether to initiate a full national security review.
The bill applies to transactions where a foreign person, other than from an 'excepted' country, acquires an interest in U.S. agricultural land and is required to report it to the USDA.
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If passed, this bill would impact foreign entities looking to purchase American farmland, as their transactions would face additional scrutiny by CFIUS to ensure they don't compromise national security. It could make it more difficult for some foreign buyers to acquire U.S. agricultural land.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Related Subjects
Agricultural trade
Congressional oversight
Farmland
Government information and archives
Land transfers
U.S. and foreign investments
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
5409, 119th Congress (2025). "Territory Health Revitalization Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5409
