Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds and Catherine Cortez Masto have reintroduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act. This legislation aims to prevent entities controlled by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing agricultural land and businesses near U.S. military installations or sensitive sites.

Rounds highlighted a past incident in 2021 where the Fufeng Group acquired land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota as an example of potential threats. "Our near-peer adversaries such as China are looking for any possible opportunity to surveil our nation’s capabilities and resources," he stated. He expressed hope that with President Trump's recent National Security Presidential Memorandum on this issue, progress could be made.

Senator Cortez Masto emphasized Nevada's strategic locations, stating, “It is common sense that we should not allow our foreign adversaries to buy agricultural land next to these locations.”

The bill is also supported by Majority Leader John Thune and Senators John Hoeven and Cynthia Lummis. Thune commented on the risks posed by foreign ownership of American farmland close to military sites, while Hoeven noted the threat to both food security and national security. Lummis added that Wyoming's land should serve Americans rather than provide surveillance platforms for adversaries.

Endorsements for the legislation come from several organizations including the South Dakota Soybean Association, Corn Growers Association, Dairy Producers, and R-CALF USA. Kevin Deinert of the South Dakota Soybean Association remarked on its importance for national security and economic interests.

The PASS Act proposes banning purchases of agricultural land by specified foreign entities near sensitive sites, making the Secretary of Agriculture a voting member of CFIUS for relevant transactions, and allowing USDA referrals to CFIUS when necessary.

Rounds has been proactive in preventing foreign ownership of U.S. land since first introducing the PASS Act in 2022 during the 117th Congress. The initiative was reintroduced in February 2023 as part of efforts underlined by amendments in defense-related legislation.