U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill has proposed legislation that would prohibit certain foreign adversaries, like China, from purchasing farmland nationwide.
Gill, a representative from Texas’ 26th congressional district, told Texas Scorecard that “if a foreign country prohibits Americans from purchasing land in their country, we should do the same to them.”
“The Chinese Communist Party is one of the biggest offenders,” said Gill. “The CCP has no place on our nation’s soil. My Land and National Defense Act is a commonsense solution to keep our adversaries from owning our farmland.”
The Land and National Defense Act, also known as the LAND Act, was introduced on Friday.
The LAND Act would not allow land to be purchased by individuals from countries that do not allow U.S. citizens to own land. The same restriction would apply to individuals holding dual citizenship with the United States and a hostile foreign power. The same restrictions would also apply to foreign-owned companies and governmental entities.
Gill’s proposed measure requires the Department of Agriculture to notify members of Congress of any land acquired by a foreign purchaser, whether hostile or friendly.
It would also establish a U.S. Land Protection Task Force to report on the percentage of agricultural land sold to all foreign purchasers and the states in which the land was sold.
Additionally, the report would include information on whether “any of the purchased agricultural land is located within 100 miles of a military installation.”
Aiden Buzzetti, president of the advocacy group The Bull Moose Project, said that Gill’s proposal “is exactly what America needs.”
“For too long, we’ve stood by while foreign powers—especially the Chinese Communist Party—buy up our precious farmland without restriction, while American citizens can’t do the same in their countries,” explained Buzzetti. “These barriers are intentional, and put Americans at a disadvantage when making purchases abroad.”
While Gill works the matter legislatively, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said her department is also eyeing administrative options.
Rollins told Breitbart News last month that one option under consideration is working with states to pass their own legislation.
Several lawmakers in the Texas House, including State Reps. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) and David Spiller (R-Jacksboro), have already proposed legislation to curb land purchases by hostile foreign nations.
Senate Bill 17, a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and filed in February by State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham), is another measure aiming to address the problem. It is currently in the Senate Committee on State Affairs.
The Republican Party of Texas designated “Texas is Not for Sale” as one of its legislative priorities this session.
