U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and John Fetterman (D-PA), has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at bolstering food and national security by permanently adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for agriculture-related transactions. The House Financial Services Committee has already passed a companion bill, which was approved unanimously by the full House.
The Agricultural Risk Review Act would codify a key part of the Trump administration’s National Farm Security Action Plan. CFIUS is responsible for reviewing foreign investments in U.S. assets to assess their implications for national security.
Senator Cramer commented, “We’ve made tremendous progress over the last few years in our efforts to safeguard our agricultural systems and food supply chains against adversaries,” adding, “After Grand Forks’ experience with Fufeng, we now know how essential it is to add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS. Foreign land purchases, especially near sensitive sites, are a threat to both our national and food security. Republicans and Democrats both understand the importance of protecting food supply chains. President Trump was right to put Secretary Rollins on CFIUS. I look forward to making his effort permanent with the Agricultural Risk Review Act.”
Senator Alsobrooks said, “Formalizing the Secretary of Agriculture’s role in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is critical to our national security,” noting Maryland's proximity to several important military installations: “Maryland is home to many vital, sensitive sites including Fort Meade, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Camp David, and more. I will do everything in my power to make sure these locations are safe from foreign adversaries so that Maryland’s agricultural communities can remain resilient and continue to support our nation’s food security.”
Senator Lummis stated, “Now more than ever, it is imperative we protect our farmland and secure our food supply,” explaining that “This commonsense legislation ensures the Secretary of Agriculture has a seat on the committee that reviews foreign acquisitions of American land and gives the secretary a voice when it comes to safeguarding our agriculture industry. Farm and food security are national security, and I am proud to join my colleagues in protecting Wyoming land and agriculture.”
Senator Fetterman emphasized: “Food security is national security,” adding that “The bipartisan Agriculture Risk Review Act finally locks in what I’ve said before: the Agriculture Secretary belongs at the CFIUS table every time a deal touches our farms, our food supply, or the businesses that keep them moving. The White House directive is a good start, but this bill makes it permanent because safeguarding our fields and our food shouldn’t depend on who’s sitting in the Oval Office. I’ll keep working to limit CCP and other adversary investment in our nation’s farmland.”
A representative from the cattle industry added support: “Senator Cramer understands that food security is national security,” stating further that “The cattle industry greatly appreciates his leadership to ensure our food security by adding the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS. This is a critical step in protecting American farm and ranch land from foreign actors.”
In 2021, Chinese company Fufeng Group acquired 370 acres near Grand Forks Air Force Base for an industrial project—a purchase opposed by Senator Cramer due to concerns about links between Fufeng Group and China’s government as well as potential risks posed by its proximity to sensitive military operations at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Although Senator Cramer requested a review by CFIUS at that time, legal limitations prevented action; later correspondence from U.S. Air Force officials indicated significant threats associated with such transactions.
Following this incident involving Fufeng Group's purchase near Grand Forks Air Force Base—which led authorities such as the U.S. Air Force expressing concern over possible impacts—CFIUS expanded its jurisdiction around certain bases including Grand Forks.
Additionally, recent federal appropriations included provisions supported by Senator Cramer requiring greater scrutiny of foreign purchases related not only to agricultural land but also biotechnology interests deemed nationally significant.
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