A major step forward in keeping American land in American hands
By Easton Martin | April 30, 2026
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a major legislative measure today that aims to block foreign adversaries from acquiring American agricultural property. The provision was included as an amendment to the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which passed the chamber with a bipartisan vote of 224 to 200.
The amendment was led by Representative Greg Steube of Florida. It creates a strict prohibition on the purchase of American farmland by entities from countries designated as foreign adversaries. This group includes China, Russia, and Iran.
During the debate, Representative Steube pointed to the growing trend of foreign ownership in the United States. He noted that over 45 million acres of American agricultural land are already held by foreign investors. Steube argued that allowing adversarial nations to control domestic food production assets poses a risk to national security. He stated that it makes no sense to allow entities from countries with interests counter to the United States to own American land.
Lawmakers who supported the measure emphasized the need to protect the domestic supply chain. Foreign control over U.S. land could provide adversaries with leverage over American food security. Barring these transactions will ensure that critical resources remain under domestic oversight rather than in the hands of bad actors.
The broader Farm Bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration. If signed into law, the restrictions would represent one of the most significant federal efforts to curb foreign investment in the agricultural sector to date.
This was a necessary move to maintain the integrity of the American food supply and to prevent foreign governments from gaining a foothold in the rural heartland.
