House Republicans are ramping up efforts to curb the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) growing control over U.S. land, introducing new legislation to block China-linked purchases of American farms and homes.
Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., announced she will introduce the House version of the “Protecting Our Farms and Homes from China Act,” the companion to legislation introduced last week by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. The bill is part of a broader Republican campaign to protect U.S. land and food systems from what they call foreign exploitation.
“Prized American land is not for sale to our enemies,” Miller told Fox News Digital. “The Chinese Communist Party is the greatest threat to our national security. Their push to buy up American farmland and homes is a direct assault on our sovereignty.”
Ban Targets CCP-Affiliated Buyers
Miller’s legislation would ban Chinese nationals and companies with ties to the CCP from purchasing or leasing any agricultural land in the U.S. It would also block them from acquiring residential real estate — including homes, condos, and land zoned for housing — for at least two years. The president would have the option to extend the ban every two years.
Entities that currently hold such properties would be required to divest within one year of the bill’s enactment.
Violations would come with stiff penalties: $100 per acre per day for illegal farmland holdings and $1,000 per day for residential property violations. Criminal penalties could include up to five years in prison. Any land or property bought illegally would be seized and sold at public auction.
Enforcing U.S. Sovereignty
The bill includes measures to enforce compliance and prevent loopholes. It would:
- Establish compliance offices within the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce
- Grant the U.S. Attorney General the authority to seize CCP-linked assets
- Nullify non-compete agreements involving foreign ag employers
The proposal aligns with President Donald Trump’s recently announced National Farm Security Action Plan, a sweeping strategy to defend American agriculture from foreign interference. That plan is being spearheaded by prominent Trump allies including Brooke Rollins, Pete Hegseth, Pam Bondi, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
“China’s ownership of U.S. farmland poses a direct threat to American interests,” said Hawley. “We should never let our greatest adversary have access to our vital resources.”
Growing Concerns Over Foreign Land Ownership
The push for tighter land security comes amid mounting concerns over China’s presence in American markets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that Chinese interests currently hold approximately 265,000 acres of U.S. farmland — a figure that has alarmed lawmakers and voters alike.
A USDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that while the agency currently lacks authority to block such purchases, it is working to improve data transparency. “This is just one of many actions outlined in our National Farm Security Action Plan,” the spokesperson said.
Miller’s bill will debut Thursday with support from at least a dozen House Republicans, including Reps. Pat Harrigan, Ralph Norman, Paul Gosar, Bob Onder, Marlin Stutzman, Tim Burchett, Randy Weber, Tom Tiffany, Andy Harris, Tony Wied, Michael Rulli, and Eli Crane.
Since arriving in Congress in 2021, Miller has made foreign land ownership a central issue. In 2022, she partnered with then-Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, to introduce a national moratorium on foreign purchases of U.S. land.
The new legislation marks the latest front in the GOP’s effort to secure America’s farmland, food supply, and housing market from influence by hostile foreign powers.
