Omaha City Wire

Rep. Don Bacon, along with several other representatives, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting U.S. farmland from foreign ownership. The bill, known as the AFIDA Improvements Act of 2024, seeks to address concerns about foreign farmland ownership and strengthen national security.

The legislation is a response to growing purchases of farmland by the Chinese Communist Party, which has raised national security concerns. In a joint statement, Rep. Bacon and the co-sponsors highlighted the need for timely and detailed data sharing of foreign investments in agricultural land. The bill also aims to improve the reviewing and validating of information, as well as identify foreign entities that fail to file notifications of land purchases in the United States.

According to the co-sponsors, having proper processes in place will strengthen the security of the nation and prevent nefarious foreign agents, such as the Chinese Communist Party, from acquiring agricultural land within the country. They emphasized the importance of protecting these lands, as they play a crucial role in feeding the nation and other parts of the world, supporting livestock, fueling vehicles, and serving other essential purposes.

By codifying recommendations published by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in relation to the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA), Congress will be better equipped to hold the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accountable and make necessary amendments to empower better data reporting and review.

The AFIDA Improvements Act of 2024 is a bipartisan effort to address national security concerns and safeguard U.S. farmland from foreign ownership. With the support of Rep. Bacon and other representatives, this legislation aims to protect the country's agricultural resources and ensure the nation's food security.