New Legislation Targets Foreign Adversaries' Land Purchases near National Security Sites

Strategic Insights -

Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse has introduced legislation to give the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) jurisdiction over any potential land purchases by foreign adversaries near national security sites. This move comes as part of Rep. Newhouse's efforts to safeguard the country's food supply chains and national security from foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party. The bill would also consider U.S. food security as a factor in CFIUS reviews and mandate filing for foreign adversary entities making land purchases near sensitive sites.

Key Takeaways:

  • The legislation introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse would give CFIUS jurisdiction over all land purchases by foreign adversary entities, with exceptions for real estate in urban areas and single housing units.
  • The bill would authorize CFIUS to consider U.S. food security, including biotechnology acquisition, as a factor in national security reviews and require the Secretary of Agriculture to have a vote in CFIUS reviews of transactions involving farmland or agriculture technology.
  • The legislation would establish a negative presumption for CFIUS reviews of foreign adversary entities purchasing land near sensitive sites, raising the approval threshold and ensuring that such transactions are thoroughly reviewed.
  • Rep. Newhouse has long been a leader in protecting American farmland from foreign adversaries, previously introducing bills such as the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People's Republic of China Act and the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act of 2023.
  • The new legislation is part of Rep. Newhouse's ongoing efforts to stop the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries from exploiting U.S. land near national security sites.

Statistics:

  • The legislation would give CFIUS jurisdiction over all land purchases by foreign adversary entities, with exceptions for real estate in urban areas and single housing units.
  • According to Rep. Newhouse, his efforts to stop foreign adversaries are a top priority, and he has been working closely with Chairman Mike Gallagher to introduce this legislation.
  • The bill would require CFIUS to consider U.S. food security as a factor in national security reviews and would mandate filing for foreign adversary entities making land purchases near sensitive sites.
  • Rep. Newhouse has previously expressed concerns about the Chinese Communist Party's influence on U.S. farmland, stating that allowing them to purchase U.S. agricultural land and companies would endanger national security and threaten the country's food supply chain.

Sources:

  • Representative Daniel Newhouse (R-WA) Official Statement
  • House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Bill Introduction Press Release
  • Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Jurisdictional Requirements