Rounds’ amendment protecting U.S. farmland, ag companies included in Senate’s NDAA

The U.S. Senate passed an amendment offered by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) that would ban foreign adversaries from buying American farmland and agricultural businesses and included it in the chamber’s version of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“I am pleased this amendment was included in this year’s NDAA, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation across the finish line,” Sen. Rounds said on July 25. 

Specifically, Rounds Amendment No. 813 to S. 2226 would prohibit China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from purchasing U.S. farmland and agricultural companies, according to a summary provided by the senator’s staff.

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture also would be added as an ex officio member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting national security, and would require the president to submit a report to Congress on any waiver granted to a prohibited country, the summary says.

“China and Russia are our near-peer adversaries and North Korea and Iran are no friends of the United States,” said Sen. Rounds. “These four adversaries view America as their top competitor and only wish to gain advantage and opportunities to surveil our nation’s capabilities and resources. This common-sense provision will make our homeland more secure.”