Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, is spearheading a legislative effort to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from acquiring farmland and residential properties in the United States. On Thursday, Hawley introduced the Protecting Our Farms and Homes from China Act, which aims to prohibit Chinese corporations and individuals linked to the CCP from purchasing such lands. This move aligns with recent warnings from President Donald Trump’s administration regarding the potential risks posed by Chinese ownership of U.S. land, particularly near military installations. Hawley emphasized the national security implications of foreign ownership, stating that allowing adversaries access to critical resources like farmland and housing could jeopardize American interests. The proposed legislation seeks to impose a permanent ban on farmland acquisitions by Chinese entities, while residential property purchases would face a two-year prohibition, subject to renewal by the president every two years. The bill also mandates that current Chinese owners of affected properties divest their holdings within a year, with penalties for non-compliance ranging from fines to property forfeiture. This legislative push coincides with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) unveiling of its National Farm Security Action Plan earlier this week. The plan addresses threats from foreign governments, including China, and outlines executive reforms while urging Congress to enact legislation similar to Hawley’s proposal. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted the strategic importance of American agriculture at a press event in Washington, D.C., stressing that agricultural lands are not merely commodities but integral to the nation’s identity and security. Rollins warned of the dangers posed by foreign acquisitions and exploitation of U.S. agricultural resources, which could be used against American interests. The event also featured remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Despite existing state-level restrictions on land purchases by foreign adversaries, significant acreage remains under Chinese ownership. In 2021, over 383,000 acres were linked to China, underscoring the ongoing challenge of safeguarding American land from foreign influence.