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. The amendment seeks to include the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This inclusion would specifically apply to transactions involving agricultural land, biotechnology, or the agricultural industry.
Expected Effects
The bill would expand CFIUS's oversight to include agricultural considerations, particularly concerning investments from specific foreign adversaries. This could lead to increased scrutiny of foreign acquisitions of agricultural assets. It may also result in greater protection of American agricultural interests from potential national security threats.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security by scrutinizing foreign investments in agriculture.
- Protection of American agricultural land and resources.
- Increased oversight of foreign influence in the food supply chain.
- Potential for more informed decisions regarding foreign investment based on agricultural expertise.
- Mitigation of risks associated with foreign control of agricultural biotechnology.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and delays in foreign investment approvals.
- Possible chilling effect on beneficial foreign investment in the agricultural sector.
- Risk of retaliatory measures from countries targeted by the legislation.
- Potential for the Secretary of Agriculture's role to be overly influenced by national security concerns, potentially overshadowing economic considerations.
- The sunset clause could create uncertainty for long-term agricultural investments.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align 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, Clause 3). The bill's focus on national security also aligns with the federal government's responsibility for defense.
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).