Rep. Greg Steube introduced an amendment aimed at preventing foreign adversaries and state sponsors of terrorism from purchasing agricultural land in the United States, citing concerns tied to national security, infrastructure, and economic stability.

During remarks on the House floor, Steube outlined the purpose of the proposal and described what he said are gaps in current federal law.

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, the agricultural land of the United States should be owned by Americans, not by foreign adversaries, hostile regimes or those who actively seek to undermine the economic, food and national security of the American people,” Steube said.

He stated that existing statutes do not fully restrict such purchases.

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“Right now, federal law does not have a forceful provision that strictly denies entities and persons affiliated with foreign adversaries and state sponsors of terrorism from buying up American farmland,” he said.

Steube pointed to broader concerns about foreign governments and their actions toward the United States.

“The same governments that hack our critical infrastructure, poison our communities with fentanyl, and dare to surpass the United States on the world stage are slowly acquiring American farmland, acre by acre, county by county, and state by state,” he said.

The amendment, as described by Steube, would establish a direct prohibition on these transactions.

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“My amendment is simple. It would prohibit the purchase of agricultural land by foreign adversaries and state sponsors of terrorism,” he said.

He emphasized that the current situation should raise concerns among lawmakers.

“The fact that our enemies and their accomplices are already not firmly restricted from purchasing ag land in our nation should alarm every member of this body,” Steube said.

Steube described foreign ownership of farmland as a security risk, particularly in areas near critical sites.

“Enemy ownership of our agricultural land presents a clear, dire and direct threat to our national security,” he said.

He also pointed to the proximity of farmland to key infrastructure and military installations.

“Much of our farmland surrounds our nation's most sensitive critical infrastructure assets and military installations and such proximity can afford our enemies the ability to surveil our troops and disrupt critical supply chains that support military readiness, our energy grid and keep our economy flourishing,” Steube said.

The congressman said allowing such ownership could create vulnerabilities near sensitive locations.

“We should never allow our enemies to gain a foothold in the shadows of the installations that protect and defend our economic and national security,” he said.

Steube framed agricultural land as a strategic national resource, highlighting its role in multiple sectors.

“Our agricultural land is perhaps one of our nation's greatest strategic assets. It's the land that sustains American families, insulates our military installations and serves as the backbone of the American economy,” he said.

He questioned why foreign adversaries would be allowed to acquire land tied to those functions.

“Why should we ever give our enemies a single inch of the very land that sustains our country,” Steube said.

According to Steube, the amendment is intended to establish a firm policy boundary.

“My amendment draws a hard line which should have existed all along our enemies don't get to own Americans agricultural land,” he said.

He concluded his remarks by urging fellow lawmakers to back the proposal.

“I urge my colleagues to support the American people's sovereign right to our farmland by voting for my amendment, I reserve the remainder of my time,” Steube said.

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