HR4706119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Our Farms and Homes from China Act

Sponsored By: Representative Miller (IL)

Introduced

Summary

Limits foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land and residential real estate by covered foreign entities. The bill would ban certain foreign entities from acquiring or leasing farm land and place a temporary prohibition on them buying many kinds of housing, while setting divestment deadlines, daily fines, and enforcement tools.

Show full summary
  • Farmers and rural communities: Covered foreign entities would be barred from acquiring or leasing U.S. agricultural land and forced to divest within one year or face fines of $100 per acre per day, potential criminal penalties up to five years, and forfeiture with public auction.
  • Homebuyers and housing markets: The bill would impose an initial two year ban on covered foreign entities buying defined residential properties, allow Presidential two year extensions, require divestment within one year, and impose fines of $1,000 per unit per day for violations.
  • Federal enforcement and agencies: The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Commerce must issue rules and set up enforcement offices within 180 days, and the Attorney General is authorized to seize forfeited property, pursue public auctions, and seek injunctive relief.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Attorney General could seize and sue violators

This bill would let the Attorney General enforce these rules. The Attorney General could seize assets and ask courts to stop violations. This would apply to both the farm‑land and housing parts.

No farm land buys or leases by Chinese entities

This bill would bar covered Chinese entities from buying or leasing U.S. agricultural land. Current owners would need to sign a divestment letter within 180 days and finish divestment within 1 year. Violations could face $100 per acre per day and criminal penalties up to 5 years. The Attorney General could seize land held in violation and sell it at public auction. USDA would set up an office and issue rules within 180 days to investigate and fine. Agricultural land would include farms, ranches, timber, food processing sites, and idle land used for those within the past 5 years.

Who counts as a covered Chinese entity

This bill would define who is a "covered foreign entity" from China. It would include firms incorporated in China (including Hong Kong and Macau), groups acting for the Chinese government, those tied to the Chinese Communist Party, entities owned or controlled by them, and their senior leaders.

Two-year ban on Chinese entities buying homes

This bill would block covered Chinese entities from buying U.S. homes for 2 years after enactment. The President could extend the ban in 2‑year steps. Covered entities would need to divest within 1 year; violations could face $1,000 per unit per day. Commerce would set rules within 180 days, run an office to enforce, and report to Congress within 540 days on market and affordability effects. Homes covered would include single‑family houses, condos, townhouses, co‑ops, duplexes to fourplexes, and land zoned for those.

Noncompetes void for some employees

If you work for a covered Chinese entity that owns or leases U.S. farm land, your noncompete would be void. The agreement would have no legal effect. This would apply even if other laws say otherwise.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Miller (IL)

IL • R

Cosponsors

  • Harrigan

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Norman

    SC • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Gosar

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Onder

    MO • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Stutzman

    IN • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Burchett

    TN • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Weber (TX)

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Tiffany

    WI • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Harris (MD)

    MD • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Wied

    WI • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Rulli

    OH • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Crane

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Kennedy (UT)

    UT • R

    Sponsored 7/25/2025

  • Edwards

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/25/2025

  • Boebert

    CO • R

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Higgins (LA)

    LA • R

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Harris (NC)

    NC • R

    Sponsored 8/15/2025

  • Hageman

    WY • R

    Sponsored 9/19/2025

  • Biggs (SC)

    SC • R

    Sponsored 9/30/2025

  • Mace

    SC • R

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov

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