Stefanik Reintroduces Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act

Strategic Insights -

Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-New York, and Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas, have reintroduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, a piece of legislation aimed at protecting the national security of the United States by preventing foreign adversaries from purchasing or controlling U.S. agricultural land and businesses. The bill specifically targets Communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, which are purchasing U.S. agricultural land to undermine food security and gain access to sensitive military installations. The PASS Act will ensure that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reviews foreign acquisition of American agricultural land and businesses, and blacklists foreign adversaries from controlling U.S. agricultural land. Congresswoman Stefanik stated that "food security is national security," emphasizing the importance of protecting American agricultural interests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PASS Act aims to prohibit foreign adversaries from purchasing or controlling U.S. agricultural land and businesses, targeting countries like Communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
  • The bill will ensure that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is involved in reviewing foreign acquisition of American agricultural land and businesses.
  • The PASS Act will help protect American agricultural interests by preventing foreign adversaries from undermining food security and gaining access to sensitive military installations.
  • The bill is co-led by Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford.
  • Specifically, the bill will prevent foreign adversaries from buying up U.S. farmland for nefarious purposes.
  • The PASS Act will ensure that American citizens are not allowed to purchase farmland in countries like China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea, and similarly, their citizens should not be permitted to do so in the United States.
  • Rep. Rick Crawford highlighted the importance of U.S. agriculture as a critical industry, stating that the potential counterintelligence threat to the country from adversaries owning U.S. farmland or agricultural companies is immeasurable.
  • The PASS Act will take the essential step of preventing foreign adversaries from buying up U.S. farmland, and Congresswoman Stefanik emphasized the importance of protecting America's food security and national security.

Statistics:

  • The PASS Act targets four foreign adversaries: Communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
  • The bill will involve the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in reviewing foreign acquisition of American agricultural land and businesses.
  • At least 4 countries are purchasing U.S. agricultural land to undermine food security and gain access to sensitive military installations.
  • The bill will prevent foreign adversaries from controlling U.S. agricultural land, which is estimated to be worth over $10 billion.
  • The PASS Act will protect American agricultural interests, which are critical to the country's food security and national security.

Sources:

  • https://stefanik.house.gov/2025/10/stefanik-reintroduces-promoting-agriculture-safeguards-and-security-act