Senate BillS 179Supply chainU.S. and foreign investments
FARM Act
INTRO JAN 22· LAST ACTION JAN 22
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
14
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it directly addresses concerns about who controls the production and distribution of food in the United States. If passed, it would treat the nation's food supply as a matter of national security, similar to defense or energy. This could lead to fewer foreign takeovers of U.S. farms and agricultural companies, potentially ensuring that decisions about food production remain primarily in American hands.
Without this bill, foreign investments in agriculture might continue without the explicit national security review and agricultural expertise that the bill proposes, potentially leaving the U.S. food system more vulnerable to external influence or disruption. Voters concerned about food security, the independence of American farmers, or foreign ownership of critical industries would find this bill particularly relevant.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
This ensures agricultural expertise is directly included in decisions about foreign investments affecting national security.
PROVISION 02
Expands CFIUS's authority to explicitly review transactions that could lead to foreign control of U.S. agricultural businesses.
This closes a potential loophole, bringing foreign investments in the agriculture sector under formal national security review.
PROVISION 03
Designates agricultural systems and supply chains as "critical infrastructure" and "critical technologies."
This formal classification highlights the strategic importance of the agriculture sector, triggering stricter scrutiny of foreign investments.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Comptroller General to analyze and report on foreign influence and threats to the U.S. agriculture industry.
This provides Congress and the public with a comprehensive understanding of the scope and risks of foreign investment in U.S. agriculture.
This bill matters because it directly addresses concerns about who controls the production and distribution of food in the United States. If passed, it would treat the nation's food supply as a matter of national security, similar to defense or energy. This could lead to fewer foreign takeovers of U.S. farms and agricultural companies, potentially ensuring that decisions about food production remain primarily in American hands.
Without this bill, foreign investments in agriculture might continue without the explicit national security review and agricultural expertise that the bill proposes, potentially leaving the U.S. food system more vulnerable to external influence or disruption. Voters concerned about food security, the independence of American farmers, or foreign ownership of critical industries would find this bill particularly relevant.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
This ensures agricultural expertise is directly included in decisions about foreign investments affecting national security.
high
Expands CFIUS's authority to explicitly review transactions that could lead to foreign control of U.S. agricultural businesses.
This closes a potential loophole, bringing foreign investments in the agriculture sector under formal national security review.
high
Designates agricultural systems and supply chains as "critical infrastructure" and "critical technologies."
This formal classification highlights the strategic importance of the agriculture sector, triggering stricter scrutiny of foreign investments.
med
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Comptroller General to analyze and report on foreign influence and threats to the U.S. agriculture industry.
This provides Congress and the public with a comprehensive understanding of the scope and risks of foreign investment in U.S. agriculture.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act
Secretary of Agriculture and Comptroller General shall conduct an analysis and submit a report to Congress on foreign influence in the United States agriculture industry.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Defense Production Act of 1950
A U.S. law allowing the President to require businesses to prioritize contracts for national defense and to control essential materials and services during emergencies.
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
A government committee that reviews certain foreign investments in U.S. businesses to determine their impact on national security.
Secretary of Agriculture
The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, responsible for government policy on food, agriculture, and rural development.
Critical Infrastructure
Systems and assets, both physical and virtual, that are so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.
Critical Technologies
Technologies essential for national security or economic competitiveness that may be subject to stricter controls, especially regarding foreign access or investment.
Foreign Control
When an entity from another country has the power, directly or indirectly, to determine the direction or management of a U.S. business.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JAN 22, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 22, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
All the steps involved in getting food and other farm products from the farm to the consumer, including production, processing, transportation, and distribution.
