H.R. 620 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Jan 22, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens oversight of foreign agricultural investment
Ever wondered who owns the farms and food companies in America? This bill gives the Agriculture Secretary a seat at the table with CFIUS, a government committee that reviews foreign investments. It requires CFIUS to examine any deal where a foreign company or investor might take control of a U.S. farm or agricultural business. The bill also counts agricultural systems and supply chains as critical infrastructure and technology, which makes them subject to closer review.
How it affects you
This mainly affects farmers and agricultural businesses considering foreign investment deals, as they'll face more government review. You might notice longer approval times if you're involved in selling or partnering in agriculture with foreign investors. The bill also directs the Department of Agriculture and Government Accountability Office to report annually on foreign influence in U.S. agriculture, which gives lawmakers and the public better information about who's investing in American farming.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 22, 2025)
Foreign Adversary Risk Management Act or the FARM Act
This bill places the Secretary of Agriculture on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). It also requires CFIUS to review any investment that could result in foreign control of any U.S. agricultural business.
Further, the bill includes agricultural systems and supply chains in the definitions of critical infrastructure and critical technologies for the purposes of reviewing such investments.
The Department of Agriculture and the Government Accountability Office must each annually analyze and report on foreign influence in the U.S. agricultural industry.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 620
A BILL
FARM Act
Sponsor: Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13) · Introduced Jan 22, 2025 · Foreign Trade and International Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 28, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.”