Sen. Banks introduces bill to strengthen U.S. food security and agricultural biosecurity

Submitted by Office of U.S. Senator Jim Banks

Last Wednesday, May 20, U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the DoD and USDA Research Act. This bill would codify and expand the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of War (DoW) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen coordination on research to protect America’s agriculture supply chain from domestic and foreign threats.

Representative Mark Messmer (R-Ind.-08) introduced the bill in the House.

“Protecting America’s food supply is part of protecting our national security,” Sen. Banks said. “This bill helps the Defense Department and USDA work together to keep our farms and supply chains safe from foreign and domestic threats.”

Key Provisions of the DoD and USDA Interagency Research Act:

• Directs DoW and USDA research to strengthen America’s food supply and critical supply chains against foreign adversaries, biological threats, and supply chain disruptions.
• Directs research on AI, biotechnology, drones, and precision agriculture to strengthen the defense industrial base, expand domestic production of critical agricultural materials, and improve preparedness against threats to America’s food supply and military readiness without new spending.

Indiana Farm Bureau and American Conservation Coalition (ACC) Action have endorsed this legislation.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Background

Secretaries Hegseth and Rollins signed a DoW–USDA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to elevate American agriculture as a key element of national security. This effort aligns with President Trump’s “Food Security is National Security” Action Plan, which emphasizes safeguarding the U.S. food system as a core component of national defense and resilience.

A healthy and secure food supply is vital to economic stability and national security. Invasive pests, livestock disease, and biosecurity gaps can disrupt food production and weaken supply chains. These vulnerabilities also affect the defense industrial base, which relies on foreign sources for key bio-based feedstocks and materials used in fuels and propellants.

At the same time, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is expanding its capabilities in biotechnology, agricultural genetics, and bio-industrial production, framing these sectors as instruments of geopolitical competition. China is positioning these capabilities to exploit vulnerabilities in the U.S. food system and disrupt critical supply chains. Food security is national security, and stronger coordination between America’s defense and agriculture sectors will help ensure America controls the future of our critical industries, not China.