S.Amdt. 3176

The amendment, which may be called the Agriculture and National Security Act of 2025, aims to add a new section to the bill to address the role of food and agriculture in United States national security. It is based on the sense of Congress that these areas are critical to national security and that more work is needed to find vulnerabilities, especially those involving emerging technologies.

To achieve this, the amendment proposes the following changes and additions:

• New Leadership: The Secretary of Agriculture must create the position of Assistant Secretary for National Security and appoint someone to it within 180 days. This person would act as the main advisor to the Secretary on national security and serve as the primary contact with the National Security Council and other federal agencies.

• Specific Duties: The Assistant Secretary would be responsible for coordinating national security activities across the Department. This includes working with the Office of Homeland Security, the Intelligence Community Counterintelligence Office, and implementing the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 and the Defense Production Act of 1950. They must also work with stakeholders to identify risks related to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, drones, cybersecurity, and supply chain issues.

• Staffing and Coordination: The Secretary is authorized to share personnel (detailees) with and from intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security agencies to help share information and mitigate risks.

• Reporting: The Secretary must provide a report to Congress and the National Security Council every two years. This report must assess gaps in national security regarding food and agriculture, such as foreign acquisition of land and intellectual property, supply chain disruptions, and the influence of foreign state-owned enterprises. It must also include policy recommendations and a list of required resources.