Banks
Last week, U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) introduced the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act, which would prohibit the sale of U.S. agricultural land to any individual or entity tied to the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia.
U.S. Representative Dale Strong (R-Ala.-05) also introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Food security is national security,” Sen. Banks said. “Leaving America’s basic needs vulnerable to extortion by foreign control is not an option. This bill prevents foreign adversaries, including communist China, from owning American farmland in Indiana and across the U.S. – a no-brainer. Proud to lead this effort alongside Senator Tuberville and Rep. Strong.”
Key provisions of the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act include:
- Restrict foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land, forests, and timberland by Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia
- Prohibit participation in certain U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs for individuals from Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia
- Close loopholes to ensure adequate reporting of foreign owned U.S. agricultural land
- Establish a federal tax lien if a violation occurs and amend civil penalties
- Establish more in-depth public data sets through online database
- Require USDA, Department of National Intelligence (DNI), and Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit individual reports to Congress.
Click here to read the full text of the bill.
Background
Last year, then-Senator-elect Banks authored this piece on protecting Indiana farmland from foreign buyers.
In part he wrote: “Hoosier farmers are the fifth largest producers of corn and soybean in the country and as the representative for northeast Indiana during the past eight years, it has been an honor to represent many of them in Congress. Farmers are the backbone of our nation. Their long hours and hard work not only put food on our plates but protects America’s national security.”
Additionally, as a Member of the House of Representatives, then-Congressman Banks co-wrote a letter with then-Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) in support of State Rep. Kendell Culp’s (R-Rensselaer) bill to protect Hoosier agricultural land. Sen. Braun introduced the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act in 2023.