Bill Summary
The "Prohibition of Agricultural Land for Foreign Adversaries Act" is legislation aimed at preventing specific foreign entities and individuals—defined as "covered persons," which include those associated with the governments of North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia—from purchasing agricultural land in the United States. The act empowers the President to take necessary actions to enforce this prohibition, utilizing authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Violations of this prohibition could result in penalties equivalent to those for unlawful acts under the same Act.
Additionally, the legislation restricts these covered persons from participating in programs administered by the Department of Agriculture, with the exception of programs related to food inspection and safety regulations. The overarching goal of this bill is to safeguard U.S. agricultural resources from foreign adversaries deemed a threat to national security.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Prohibition of Agricultural Land for Foreign Adversaries Act" could affect people:
1. **Impact on Agricultural Investment**: This legislation would prevent individuals and entities associated with certain foreign governments (specifically North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia) from purchasing agricultural land in the U.S. As a result, domestic agricultural businesses may experience less competition for land acquisition, potentially leading to lower land prices. However, it could also limit foreign investment in U.S. agriculture, possibly affecting farmers who rely on foreign capital for growth and expansion.
2. **Economic Consequences for Local Communities**: Communities that have seen investment from foreign entities may feel the economic impact of this law. Jobs created by foreign investments in local agricultural enterprises could be at risk if those businesses are unable to access the necessary land for operation. This could lead to job losses and reduced economic activity in rural areas that rely on agriculture as a primary industry.
3. **Participation in Agricultural Programs**: Covered persons would be prohibited from participating in Department of Agriculture programs, except for food inspection and safety-related programs. This restriction could hinder the ability of certain agricultural entities associated with the specified foreign governments to access resources, loans, grants, or support programs designed to aid farmers and agricultural operations. As a result, this may limit the overall capacity of the agricultural sector to innovate or compete effectively, affecting food production and supply chains.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2574 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2574
To prohibit certain persons from purchasing agricultural land in the
United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2025
Mrs. Blackburn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit certain persons from purchasing agricultural land in the
United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Prohibition of Agricultural Land for
Foreign Adversaries Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Agricultural land.--The term ``agricultural land'' has
the meaning given the term in section 9 of the Agricultural
Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3508).
(2) Covered person.--The term ``covered person'' means an
individual or entity associated with the government of--
(A) the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
(B) the Islamic Republic of Iran;
(C) the People's Republic of China; or
(D) the Russian Federation.
(3) United states.--The term ``United States'' includes any
State, territory, or possession of the United States.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON PURCHASE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE UNITED
STATES BY PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN
GOVERNMENTS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
President shall take such actions as may be necessary to prohibit the
purchase by covered persons of public or private agricultural land
(including ranching land) located in the United States.
(b) Implementation.--The President may exercise all authorities
provided under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out subsection
(a).
(c) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to violate,
conspires to violate, or causes a violation of subsection (a) or any
regulation, license, or order issued to carry out that subsection shall
be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of
section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful
act described in subsection (a) of that section.
SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON PARTICIPATION IN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PROGRAMS BY PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN
GOVERNMENTS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
notwithstanding any other provision of the law, the President shall
take such actions as may be necessary to prohibit participation in
Department of Agriculture programs by covered persons.
(b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to participation in
any Department of Agriculture program relating to food inspection or
any other food safety regulatory requirements.
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