The Agriculture and National Security Act of 2024 directs the Department of Agriculture to strengthen its focus on national security issues related to food and agriculture, recognizing the sector as critical to U.S. national defense. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a new Senior Advisor for National Security position within 180 days and increase the number of department staff with security clearances to better coordinate with national security agencies. The legislation also allows the department to exchange personnel with defense, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to improve information sharing about vulnerabilities in the food supply chain, including concerns about foreign ownership of agricultural assets, cybersecurity threats, and dependence on foreign-sourced agricultural inputs. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary to submit biennial reports to Congress and the National Security Council assessing gaps in national security protections for agriculture and recommending policy solutions, starting within 180 days of enactment. The bill does not specify dedicated funding amounts but authorizes the department to request necessary resources to address emerging national security vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector.
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