U.S. Senator Katie Britt Protects American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries, Cyber Threats
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), along with a bipartisan group of their colleagues, recently reintroduced the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act to strengthen cybersecurity protections in the agriculture industry and protect America’s food supply chain.
“I will always fight to protect Alabama and America’s agriculture industry. Food security is national security and recognizing that requires our farmland be protected from foreign adversaries, like China. It is absolutely imperative we work diligently to identify any cyber threats to America’s agriculture communities that feed and clothe our state, nation, and world,” said Senator Britt.
This legislation would identify vulnerabilities in both the public and private sectors of our agriculture industry and improve protective measures within them against cyber threats. Specifically, the bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a risk assessment every two years detailing the cybersecurity threat to, and vulnerabilities within, the agriculture and food sectors and submit a report to Congress.
“America’s adversaries are seeking to gain any advantage they can against us—including targeting critical industries like agriculture. Congress must work with the Department of Agriculture to identify and defeat these cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This legislation will ensure we are prepared to protect the supply chains our farmers and all Americans rely on,” said Senator Cotton.
The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act also directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and the Director of National Intelligence, to conduct an annual cross-sector crisis simulation exercise for food-related cyber emergencies or disruptions.
“Food security is national security, and the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act is a vital step toward safeguarding Michigan’s agriculture and food sectors,” said Senator Slotkin. “Cyber attacks threaten our food supply constantly, and we must ensure both government and private industries are prepared. This bipartisan bill will require the Department of Agriculture to work closely with our national security agencies to ensure that our adversaries, like China, can’t threaten our ability to feed ourselves by ourselves.”
Congressman Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) is introducing companion legislation in the House.
In addition to supporting the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act in both the 118th and 119th Congresses, Senator Britt recently reintroduced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act with Senators Cotton and Kevin Cramer (R-N.Dak.) to prevent any Chinese individual or business from owning American land.
“The Not One More Inch or Acre Act provides President Trump with the necessary authority to safeguard American interests, secure our agriculture industry, and protect our homeland to ensure American farmland stays out of the hands of our adversaries,” said Senator Britt. The full bill text can be found HERE.
Last week, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recognized Senator Britt with the “Outstanding New Member of Congress” award. “I’m honored to present the Outstanding New Member of Congress Award to Senator Katie Britt,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Her leadership is needed to help address the challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers. With increasing uncertainty in farming caused by high supply prices, shrinking paychecks and the lack of a new, modernized farm bill, we need lawmakers like Senator Britt to continue working to create opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers.”
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