To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs, Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs for fiscal year 2024.
Impact
The impact of HB2289 revolves primarily around budgetary constraints within the USDA. By capping the funding, the bill is expected to influence the agency's ability to carry out certain programs and initiatives related to foreign assistance and trade. Stakeholders in agricultural and international trade sectors may find this limitation restrictive, potentially affecting their operations and interactions abroad. Overall, this bill signifies a trend towards tighter fiscal policies concerning federal funding allocations, particularly in agriculture-related programs.
Summary
House Bill 2289 aims to establish a limitation on the availability of funds for the US Department of Agriculture, specifically for the Foreign Assistance and Related Programs under the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, for the fiscal year 2024. The proposed limit sets the appropriated or available amount at a maximum of $875,000. This bill reflects an intention to control governmental spending in these sectors, which often encompass various assistance programs related to agriculture and trade.
Contention
While the specific discussions surrounding HB2289 are not detailed in the provided documents, budgetary concerns often lead to debates in legislative settings. Proponents of funding limitations may argue that fiscal responsibility is crucial in times of economic uncertainty, supporting the need for reduced federal spending. Conversely, opponents may express concerns that such limitations could hinder vital agricultural assistance programs that support both domestic farmers and international partnerships. The contention typically arises from differing viewpoints on the balance between fiscal responsibility and the need for sufficient funding to maintain effective agricultural and foreign assistance programs.
Protecting America's Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025This bill prohibits persons associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the United States.Specifically, the President must prohibit any person (individual or entity) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of these foreign governments from purchasing or leasing (1) public agricultural land that is owned by the United States and administered by a federal department or agency, or (2) private agricultural land that is located in the United States.A person that violates or attempts to violate this prohibition is subject to civil and criminal penalties. This prohibition does not require a person that owns or leases agricultural land as of the date of this bill's enactment to sell that land.Further, the President must prohibit a person associated with these foreign governments and who leases, or who has full or partial ownership of, agricultural land in the United States from participating in Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Exceptions are included to allow for participation in USDA programs related to food safety, the health and labor safety of individuals, or certain reporting and disclosure requirements.The bill excludes U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from these restrictions.The bill also amends the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA) to require reporting on security interests and leases.Finally, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress on AFIDA.
Foreign Adversary Risk Management Act or the FARM ActThis 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 analyze and report on foreign influence in the U.S. agricultural industry.