Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) have introduced the Securing American Agriculture Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at securing critical supply chains and reducing U.S. reliance on countries like China. The legislation is supported by eight other senators and has companion legislation in the House, introduced by Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08).

Senator Ricketts emphasized the national security threat posed by "Communist China’s strategic control over crucial sectors of our food and agricultural supply chains," warning that losing access to key inputs could affect productivity, increase food prices, and undermine food security.

Senator Slotkin stated, “Food security is national security – and we need to treat threats to our food supply chain just like any other security risk.” She added that the legislation requires assessing risks to protect the U.S. food supply.

Representative Hinson highlighted concerns from Iowa farmers about China's market share in agricultural inputs, stating that shutting off U.S. access could jeopardize food production. She expressed pride in reintroducing a bill to counter China's influence on agricultural inputs.

Representative Krishnamoorthi described the act as a critical step in protecting America's food supply from foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party. He noted that it aims to ensure American farmers can compete fairly while securing agricultural supply chains.

The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO).

Fox News first covered this development, with further details available in the bill text.