Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 1713
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-06-24: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T19:53:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 aims to strengthen U.S. national security by increasing oversight of foreign investments in the agriculture sector. It does this by involving the Department of Agriculture more directly in reviewing transactions that could pose risks, particularly those involving land or technology from countries considered foreign adversaries.

Key Provisions

Addition of the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS: The bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a voting member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS, a group of government officials that reviews foreign investments for national security risks) for any "covered transaction" (a deal involving foreign control of U.S. businesses or assets) related to:
Agricultural land (farmland used for growing crops or raising livestock).
Agricultural biotechnology (tech like genetically modified seeds or crop engineering).
The broader agriculture industry, including transportation, storage, and processing of farm products.
Review of Specific Agricultural Land Deals: CFIUS must evaluate certain "reportable agricultural land transactions" flagged by the Secretary of Agriculture. These are deals where:
A foreign person from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran acquires an interest in U.S. agricultural land.
The buyer has already reported the deal to the Department of Agriculture under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA, a law requiring notifications of foreign land purchases).
The Secretary believes it might be a covered transaction, often based on intelligence information.
If deemed a covered transaction, CFIUS can start a formal review or take other actions, such as blocking the deal if it threatens security.
Sunset Clause: The special review rules for land deals end for a specific country once it is removed from the U.S. government's list of foreign adversaries (currently defined in federal regulations under 15 CFR 791.4).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Expansion of CFIUS Membership: Previously, CFIUS included heads of departments like Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security, but not Agriculture. This bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member for agriculture-specific deals, giving the sector a direct voice in security reviews.
New Triggers for CFIUS Reviews: Under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (the main law governing CFIUS), there was no automatic process for agriculture land deals from adversarial nations. This adds a notification and assessment requirement, linking it to AFIDA reports, which creates a streamlined path for scrutiny without overhauling the entire system.
These changes build on recent expansions of CFIUS authority (e.g., via the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018) but focus narrowly on agriculture risks.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Increases coordination between the Department of Agriculture, CFIUS, and intelligence agencies, potentially leading to more resources for tracking foreign land buys. It could slow down some reviews due to added input but enhance expertise on agriculture threats like food supply disruptions.
On Citizens and Businesses: U.S. farmers, landowners, and ag companies may face stricter scrutiny for selling to foreign buyers from listed countries, possibly deterring such deals and protecting domestic control of farmland. It could boost confidence in the food supply chain but raise costs for compliance.
On International Relations: May strain ties with China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran by signaling heightened suspicion of their investments, potentially leading to reciprocal restrictions on U.S. firms abroad. It aligns with broader U.S. policies on economic security but avoids broad trade bans.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Government Agencies: Department of Agriculture (gains review powers), CFIUS members (e.g., Treasury, Defense), and intelligence community (provides data for assessments).
Agriculture Sector: Farmers, biotech firms, land owners, and processors who deal in foreign investments or sales.
Foreign Investors: Entities from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, who may find it harder to acquire U.S. ag assets.
General Public: Consumers reliant on secure food production, as the bill targets risks to agricultural infrastructure.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces CFIUS's role under the Defense Production Act without creating new penalties, relying instead on existing tools like deal mitigation or blocks. It ties into AFIDA for reporting, ensuring consistency, but the sunset clause provides flexibility if geopolitical tensions ease.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over foreign commerce and national security (under Article I, Section 8), promoting executive oversight without infringing on property rights, as reviews focus only on security risks.
Political: Highlights bipartisan concerns over foreign ownership of U.S. farmland (e.g., recent debates on Chinese holdings), potentially setting a precedent for sector-specific CFIUS expansions. It could influence future bills on economic nationalism but risks accusations of targeting specific nations without broader reforms.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]

Cosponsors (20)

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

Recent Actions

2025-06-24: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
2025-06-23: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-06-23: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2865)
2025-06-23: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2865)
2025-06-23: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1713.
2025-06-23: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2865-2866)
2025-06-23: Mrs. Wagner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-06-03: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 99.
2025-06-03: Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.
2025-06-03: Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.
2025-06-03: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
2025-06-03: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
2025-06-03: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-129, Part I.
2025-06-03: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-129, Part I.
2025-03-05: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.

Bill Versions

Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (6 pages)
Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (4 pages)
Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (5 pages)
Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-03 — PDF (6 pages)