H.R.1713 - Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1713, the Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025, amends the Defense Production Act of 1950. It includes the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This inclusion specifically relates to transactions involving agricultural land, biotechnology, and the agricultural industry.
Expected Effects
The Act will enhance scrutiny of foreign investments in the agricultural sector. It mandates CFIUS to consider agricultural land transactions involving specific countries of concern. These countries are the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security by protecting agricultural assets from foreign adversaries.
- Increased oversight of foreign investment in critical agricultural infrastructure.
- Greater protection of American agricultural biotechnology.
- Improved food security by safeguarding domestic agricultural land.
- Strengthened ability to identify and mitigate risks associated with foreign ownership of agricultural resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and delays in foreign investment approvals.
- Risk of chilling legitimate foreign investment in the agricultural sector.
- Possible trade tensions with countries affected by the enhanced scrutiny.
- Increased workload for the Secretary of Agriculture and CFIUS.
- Potential for overreach in defining "covered transactions."
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and regulate commerce with foreign nations. The Act's focus on national security and foreign investment aligns with these enumerated powers. There is no apparent infringement on individual rights or liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).