Agriculture and National Security Act

This proposal ties farming and food systems more closely to national security. It creates a new Assistant Secretary for National Security at the Department of Agriculture to be the main advisor on threats, work with the National Security Council, and coordinate with other federal agencies. The focus is on risks from new technology and global pressures—like biotechnology, AI, drones, cyberattacks, and supply chain problems. Congress states that food and agriculture are critical to national security and that more work is needed to find and fix vulnerabilities .

Within 180 days, the Department must set up this position. The Department can also share staff with defense, homeland security, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies to improve information sharing and reduce risks. Every two years, the Department must report on gaps and needs—such as foreign control of farm data, foreign purchases of farmland or ag businesses, input shortages, trade and supply disruptions, and cybersecurity—and recommend actions to close those gaps .

• Who is affected: farmers, ranchers, food businesses, and communities that depend on stable food supplies, as the Department strengthens protections across the food system .
• What changes: a new USDA leader for national security, stronger links with security agencies, staff sharing, and regular reports on threats and fixes .
• When: the new position must be created within 180 days; reports start within 180 days of enactment of the reporting requirement and continue every two years .