PASS Act of 2025
PASS Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# PASS Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the bill would do:** The PASS Act would ban citizens and companies from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from buying or investing in U.S. agricultural land and agricultural businesses. The bill would also add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a government body that reviews certain foreign investments. CFIUS would be required to scrutinize investments by these foreign entities in the U.S. agricultural sector.
The President could grant case-by-case exceptions if deemed necessary for national security. **Who it affects:** The bill directly restricts foreign investors and entities from these four countries. It indirectly affects U.S. farmers, agricultural companies, and landowners who might otherwise sell to or partner with foreign investors from these nations. It also expands the role of the Department of Agriculture in reviewing foreign investments. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act of 2025 or the PASS Act of 2025This bill establishes requirements to address the national security risk to the agricultural sector of the United States.Specifically, the bill prohibits a foreign person (i.e., an individual or entity) who is a citizen of or acting on behalf of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from purchasing or investing in U.S. agricultural land and companies. The prohibition also applies to an entity that is registered or organized in, or has a principal place of business in, any of these countries. The President may waive this prohibition, on a case-by-case basis, if the President determines that the waiver is vital to U.S. national security interests.The bill also places the Secretary of Agriculture on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and requires CFIUS to review certain transactions involving investments by foreign persons in the U.S. agricultural sector.Additionally, the Department of Agriculture must report on the risks that foreign purchases of U.S. businesses engaged in agriculture pose to the U.S. agricultural sector.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, 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.