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Congress·In Committee·12 months ago

Congress Proposes Ban on China and Russia Buying U.S. Farmland Near Military Bases

Also known as: PASS Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill would give the government more power to stop foreign countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from buying American farmland or agricultural businesses. It specifically targets land located near military bases or other sensitive government buildings to protect national security.
  • The rules apply to people or companies acting on behalf of those four specific countries. It is important to note that these restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens or people who have a green card to live and work in the United States legally.
  • Lawmakers are concerned that foreign adversaries could use American land to spy on military operations or gain too much control over the U.S. food supply and farming technology. By reviewing these sales, the government aims to keep the food system and military sites safe.
  • The Secretary of Agriculture would join a special federal committee that reviews foreign investments. If a deal involves a foreign adversary buying land near a sensitive site, the President must block the sale unless they officially decide the deal is in the best interest of the United States.
  • If this bill becomes law, the new rules would take effect about one year later. This gives the government time to write the specific regulations and for the public to understand how the new system will work.
AgricultureNational Security Foreign Policy

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 6, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Approximately 1 year after enactment

Regulations must be issued within one year of the bill becoming law

The government would write detailed rules about which land transactions are covered and how the review process works. Until these rules are finalized, no new restrictions take effect.

About 13 months after enactment

New restrictions take effect 30 days after regulations are finalized

Starting on this date, the government can block foreign adversary purchases of farmland near military bases. Any pending or new transactions would be subject to review and potential prohibition.

Related News

6 articles
Fox Business·12 months ago

Movement to ban Chinese farmland purchases near military bases gains steam in the Senate

The PASS Act, led by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), is gaining bipartisan support to prevent entities from China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran from purchasing agricultural land near military bases or sensitive sites while adding the Agriculture secretary to CFIUS.

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Washington Post·8 months ago

U.S. to ban Chinese purchases of farmland, citing national security

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a nationwide ban on farmland sales to buyers linked to China and other foreign adversaries, citing threats to food and national security. The plan includes potential 'clawbacks' of land already owned by Chinese investors.

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Politico·8 months ago

House passes bill to crack down on China farmland purchases

The House passed legislation to ramp up oversight of foreign farmland purchases, making permanent a measure that adds the Agriculture secretary to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review acquisitions by foreign adversaries.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

PASS Act

Bill NumberS 903
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(6)
D: 1R: 5

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.