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FIRST ON FOX: Representatives Ashley Hinson and Pete Ricketts have announced a new bipartisan initiative designed to secure agriculture supply chains in the United States from vulnerabilities and potential exploitation by the Chinese Communist Party. This developing story highlights the importance of protecting American agricultural interests in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Hinson, a Republican from Iowa, is set to introduce the Securing American Agriculture Act in the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska, will take the lead in the Senate. This collaborative effort signals a united front across party lines to strengthen national food security.
The Securing American Agriculture Act mandates the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct annual assessments aimed at identifying weaknesses in the agricultural supply chain, including domestic production gaps and potential vulnerabilities to CCP influence. This proactive measure seeks to bolster the resilience of U.S. agriculture in the face of growing foreign threats.
In addition, the legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations on how to reduce dependence on Chinese sources for critical agricultural inputs. By doing so, it aims to enhance U.S. self-reliance and amplify domestic capabilities to mitigate risks associated with foreign adversaries.
The bill stresses the need for the USDA to accurately evaluate America’s dependence on China regarding essential agricultural inputs while ensuring that American producers have secure access to necessary resources. This evaluation is crucial in a time when reliance on foreign entities can jeopardize food production and agricultural sustainability.
Representative Hinson emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating that “China has intentionally captured a significant market share of America’s agricultural inputs, which is vital to our food supply chain, ceding leverage to our top adversary.” She expressed concern that interruptions in access to these critical inputs could leave Iowa farmers vulnerable and threaten overall food production. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill that exposes and counters China’s grip on agricultural inputs to strengthen domestic manufacturing and food security,” she added.
Additionally, Ricketts voiced his apprehensions regarding the current state of U.S. agricultural supply chains. He remarked that “Communist China’s strategic control over crucial sectors of our food and agricultural supply chains poses a serious national security threat.” Ricketts underscored the potential consequences of losing access to key agricultural inputs, such as diminished productivity, higher food prices, and endangered food security.
The bipartisan nature of the bill has garnered support from various political leaders, including House China Committee Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois. He described the measure as a vital advancement in protecting America’s food supply and farmers from foreign threats, particularly those posed by the Chinese Communist Party. “America’s farmers are the backbone of our economy,” Krishnamoorthi stated. “We must ensure they have the resources and safeguards needed to compete on a level playing field while securing our nation’s agricultural supply chains.”
The legislation has also found favor among a diverse group of supporters, including House China Committee Chairman John Moolenaar, a Republican from Michigan, along with Representatives Jill Tokuda, Sharice Davids, and Scott Franklin from both sides of the aisle.
In the Senate, a variety of senators have expressed their approval of the bill, including Democrat Elissa Slotkin and several Republican senators such as James Risch, Shelley Moore Capito, Eric Schmitt, and Cynthia Lummis. Slotkin articulated the overarching theme of the bill by stating that “food security is national security.”
Moreover, she highlighted the necessity of treating threats to the food supply chain with the same seriousness as other security risks. Slotkin concluded, “Bottom line: We need to make sure America’s agriculture supply chain is secure and stays right here at home.” This sentiment encapsulates the rationale behind the legislation and its potential impact on safeguarding U.S. agriculture.
As this bipartisan initiative moves forward, it represents a critical step toward fortifying the agricultural framework that underpins the American economy and food supply. By addressing vulnerabilities and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, it aims to create a more secure and resilient agricultural ecosystem for future generations.
