Clarksville Times

Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 9456, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act. The legislation aims to make permanent policies enacted under the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024.

"I rise in support of H.R. 9456," Lucas stated, highlighting that the bill would codify these measures permanently.

Lucas thanked Congressman Newhouse from Washington for introducing the legislation and described its straightforward approach: "It adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States—CFIUS—for any transaction related to agriculture land, agricultural biotechnology, or any other transaction related to U.S. agriculture."

The bill also establishes a mechanism for USDA to notify CFIUS about sensitive agriculture transactions, ensuring an interagency review process when necessary.

"Ag Secretary Perdue during the Trump Administration and Secretary Vilsack under this Administration both agree that being a permanent member of CFIUS is necessary," Lucas said. He cited Secretary Vilsack's testimony before the House Agriculture Committee: "Being a permanent member would allow us to educate the other members of CFIUS what to look for, and what to be sensitive to, when it comes to agriculture and agricultural production."

Lucas emphasized that USDA's expertise can benefit other CFIUS members, making this bill crucial.

The proposed legislation combines two previously passed bills: one by Lucas adding the Agriculture Secretary as a CFIUS member and another by Blaine Luetkemeyer establishing a USDA referral system. Both enjoyed unanimous bipartisan support.

H.R. 9456 aims to focus government resources on foreign adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea while maintaining an open investment climate in line with American values.

Since the 1970s, USDA has tracked foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land. This bill empowers USDA further by allowing it to flag foreign entities for CFIUS consideration.

"To object to this legislation is to object with current law, existing practices, and bipartisan consensus," Lucas asserted.

He concluded by expressing hope that President Biden will sign H.R. 9456 into law soon: "Food and agricultural security is a critical component of our national security."