H.R.1713 - Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1713, the Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025, aims to amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 by including the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This inclusion is specifically for transactions involving agricultural land, biotechnology, and the agricultural industry. The bill also mandates CFIUS to review agricultural land transactions involving foreign entities from countries of concern, such as China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
Expected Effects
The bill's passage would enhance scrutiny of foreign investments in U.S. agriculture. It would also give the Secretary of Agriculture a formal role in national security reviews related to agriculture. This could potentially lead to greater protection of U.S. agricultural assets from foreign adversaries.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security by scrutinizing foreign investments in agriculture.
- Greater protection of U.S. agricultural land and resources.
- Increased oversight of foreign influence in the food supply chain.
- Support for American farmers by preventing unfair foreign competition.
- Improved coordination between the Department of Agriculture and CFIUS.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and delays in foreign investment approvals.
- Risk of retaliatory measures from countries affected by the legislation.
- Possible chilling effect on beneficial foreign investment in U.S. agriculture.
- Increased administrative burden on the Department of Agriculture.
- Could be perceived as discriminatory towards certain foreign investors.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8), which includes the ability to oversee foreign investment. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
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).