Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduces legislation to keep American farmlands out of the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

According to a release from Rep. Newhouse, he is reintroducing legislation titled "Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025."

Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) is introducing legislation to keep American farmlands out of the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to a press release from the Republican lawmaker.

This legislation, the “Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025,” was originally introduced last year and passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. However, it ultimately failed to clear the Senate.

The legislation would authorize the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to review the purchase of U.S. agricultural land by foreign entities. It would also add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment.

The goal is for USDA to have a seat at the table to ensure that farmland is not sold to entities or individuals in geopolitical adversary countries, such as the CCP.

This reintroduction is part of the new administration’s focus on defending U.S. sovereignty, according to Rep. Newhouse.

“As a long-time advocate on this important issue, I am glad to see the new administration is taking it seriously,” Rep. Newhouse said. “Just last week, Secretary Brooke Rollins, recently confirmed to lead the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), publicly announced that finding a federal solution to keep the CCP from buying critical U.S. farmland, especially land near national security sites, is at the ‘very, very top of the list’ of priorities for USDA.”

The bill stalled in the Senate last year with opponents claiming the act would kill economic development and reduce the number of added jobs in agriculture. They also say that the CCP isn't investing in land, but rather Chinese companies that are providing jobs and stimulating the economy.

Another piece of legislation Rep. Newhouse will introduce is the "No American Land for Communist China Act." This legislation prohibits foreign companies from establishing farmland within ten miles of any federal land holding over 5,000 acres, such as the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This legislation is part of a broader effort by Republicans in the House of Representatives to counter what they see as a growing threat from China.