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Agriculture and Land
Senators float bill preventing land purchase near military installations

Senators float bill preventing land purchase near military installations

A group of U.S. Senators have floated a bill that would expand CFIUS’s jurisdiction around military installations. Among other things, the bill would include real estate investments by foreign adversaries that are within 50 miles of certain military locations, like training routes. Details inside.

Three Senators float restrictive bill on U.S. land acquisition by Chinese

Three Senators float restrictive bill on U.S. land acquisition by Chinese

Three U.S. Senators have reintroduced legislation would prevent any Chinese individual or business with ties to the Chinese Communist Party from owning American land. The proposal echoes recent law in Florida, the enforcement of which was later prohibited by a U.S. Court of Appeals. Details inside.

This one goes to 11; another attempt to put Agriculture Sec. on CFIUS

This one goes to 11; another attempt to put Agriculture Sec. on CFIUS

For the eleventh time (at least by our count), Congressional leaders have floated a bill that would add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS. The updated version of The FARM Act would also designate agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical tech. Details inside.

Agriculture Dept. to remain “case by case” on CFIUS; gets more funding

Agriculture Dept. to remain “case by case” on CFIUS; gets more funding

Much has been made of the fact that the new Consolidated Appropriations Act adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a “permanent” member of CFIUS. But that’s misleading; in fact, the Act says that the Agriculture Secretary can be included as a member of CFIUS on a “case by case basis.” Insights inside.

Congressional leaders propose bill in wake of GAO report on Ag data

Congressional leaders propose bill in wake of GAO report on Ag data

Well, that didn’t take long. Fresh on the heels of a GAO report about flawed data regarding foreign agricultural transactions in the U.S., a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders have proposed a bill that would improve the tracking of foreign investment in farmland. Details, draft inside.

Data on foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land flawed, outdated

Data on foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land flawed, outdated

According to a new report, U.S. data on foreign investments in agricultural land are outdated and incomplete. As a result, “CFIUS does not currently have regular and timely access” to the data for national security reviews. Details, the report, context, and recommendations are inside.

Yet another bill (tenth?) targets agriculture and national security

Yet another bill (tenth?) targets agriculture and national security

Five members of Congress have floated a bipartisan bill to protect national security by preventing foreign adversaries from taking control of U.S. agricultural land and businesses. We provide a wrap-up of the effort to date, and how the latest legislative proposal differs from other efforts.

States trying to override executive branch in area of national security?

States trying to override executive branch in area of national security?

A member of the Wyoming state legislature has proposed a bill that would ban foreign citizens and companies from owning agricultural land in the state. The move is the latest in a series of state actions that may run counter to the judgment of Congress. Details, and why it matters, are inside.

Congressional leaders propose (yet another) bill on agriculture, land

Congressional leaders propose (yet another) bill on agriculture, land

A group of Republican Congressional leaders has introduced legislation aimed at addressing the national-security threat of “foreign adversaries” acquiring U.S. agricultural land. The bill would expand the foreign-holding information reported to the U.S. government. Details, context, full bill inside.

Republicans ask GAO to look at foreign investment in U.S. farms

Republicans ask GAO to look at foreign investment in U.S. farms

Citing “inaccuracies” in foreign investment data collected by the Department of Agriculture, more than 100 U.S. House Republicans have asked the Government Accountability Office to study foreign investment in U.S. farmland, and its impact on national security. Details and the letter are inside.

By our count: Seventh attempt to put Agriculture Secretary on CFIUS

By our count: Seventh attempt to put Agriculture Secretary on CFIUS

Let’s just say we’ve seen this movie before. A Republican Senator has floated a bill that would add the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member of CFIUS, and would require that the Committee review agriculture real estate purchases. Details, and why this may be irrelevant, are inside.

Senators call for review of farm-land purchase in North Dakota

Senators call for review of farm-land purchase in North Dakota

Two weeks ago, we noted in our downloadable spreadsheet of CFIUS disclosures that the Committee was “apparently interested” in real-estate acquisitions by Fufeng Group in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Now, a group of U.S. Senators has crafted a letter making sure it’s a priority.

Foreign ownership of U.S. forest, crop land up 54% over last decade

Foreign ownership of U.S. forest, crop land up 54% over last decade

According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, foreign individuals and entities now own nearly 3 percent of all privately held U.S. agricultural land. That number is up significantly over the last decade. Details, implications, contacts, and the relevance to CFIUS are inside.

Congressional leaders look to ban Chinese purchases of U.S. land

Congressional leaders look to ban Chinese purchases of U.S. land

Several U.S. Congressmen have floated a bill that would prohibit foreign nationals from purchasing land in the U.S. While acknowledging CFIUS has jurisdiction over certain real estate deals, they say “more action is needed” to make the rules more strict. Details and context are inside.

Latest bill another attempt to put Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS

Latest bill another attempt to put Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS

Fresh on the heels of the FARM Act in early October, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has floated yet another bill that would give the Secretary of Agriculture permanent representation on CFIUS. This particular bill has additional twists. Details and context are inside.

Louisiana senator wants CFIUS to review Chinese “greenfield” deals

Louisiana senator wants CFIUS to review Chinese “greenfield” deals

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has introduced legislation that would put Chinese “greenfield” initiatives under the purview of CFIUS. Kennedy, who floated a similar bill last year, says the move will prevent Beijing from “gaming our system.” Details, the legislation, and more are inside.

Latest bill yet another attempt to put Agriculture Secretary on CFIUS

Latest bill yet another attempt to put Agriculture Secretary on CFIUS

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives has floated yet another bill that would put the Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS, and add agriculture-specific criteria to foreign investment reviews. Complete details, context, and a wrap-up of related prior efforts are inside.

Congressmen want U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS (again)

Congressmen want U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS (again)

For the second, no, third time, Congressional leaders have introduced legislation that would put the Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS. Inside is an update on the legislation, the actual bill, the prior attempts, and insights on why it matters (or not).

State’s foreign control study yields questions on CFIUS, food supply

State’s foreign control study yields questions on CFIUS, food supply

A state rep. in America’s heartland has proposed a bill that would study foreign ownership of agricultural land. Citing shortcomings of federal regulations, the resolution raises interesting jurisdictional questions for CFIUS. Details, the bill, context, expert insights, contacts, and more are inside.