For decades, China has threatened our national security through both overt and covert measures. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and affiliated individuals and entities have rapidly increased purchases of American farmland, stolen valuable intellectual property and other critical technologies, infiltrated our schools and universities, and violated our trade laws with impunity. As the world becomes increasingly volatile, we have a duty to protect our country and the American people from CCP influence and interference.

That’s why, at the beginning of September, I joined my Republican colleagues in supporting legislation to hold China accountable for its actions and defend our families, farms, and businesses from unfair and unlawful behavior by the CCP.

One of my top priorities in Congress is preventing China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, or any of our foreign adversaries from buying our fertile and productive farmland. On my 36 County Tour and Feenstra Agriculture Tour, I have repeatedly heard from Iowans — especially our farmers — about the importance of protecting our farmland from foreign adversaries. It is a major concern for me that countries like China have increased purchases of American farmland tenfold over the last decade to control our land and threaten our food, energy, and national security.

To stem this alarming trend, I voted to add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States so that we have just another safeguard to ensure that our farmland does not fall into the hands of our enemies. This legislation complements my amendment to the Lower Energy Costs Act — which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year — to ban China from buying American farmland suitable for domestic energy production. China has no right and no business buying our farmland.

On another front, since 2005, the Chinese Communist Party has funded Confucius Institutes at American colleges and universities — spreading propaganda and misleading information. While most Confucious Institutes have closed, variations remain active on college campuses. We cannot allow China to distort the narrative about its long history of breaking international rules and norms. That’s why I voted to stop all financial support for U.S. colleges and universities that host Confucius Institutes or similar programs that target our students.

In addition to keeping CCP propaganda centers off our college campuses, I supported the End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act, which would prevent China from receiving generous tax credits to manufacture electric vehicles and produce necessary components. There is no reason whatsoever that American taxpayers should be funding the production of electric vehicles in China. Yet, President Biden and Vice President Harris have proven that they will stop at nothing to force Americans to drive electric vehicles, including giving U.S. taxpayer dollars to China to accelerate this costly and rushed EV mandate. From buying up our farmland to stealing our intellectual property, we cannot let China threaten our national security or take advantage of American taxpayers.

Finally, House Republicans passed legislation to revive the U.S. Department of Justice’s China Initiative — first authorized in 2018 to combat theft of intellectual property, economic espionage, and Chinese cyberattacks. While active, more than 160 individuals and organizations were indicted and at least 45 have since been convicted or pleaded guilty. This initiative is vital given that some estimates suggest that China’s IP theft costs the United States approximately $500 billion — leaving taxpayers on the hook for China’s unlawful antics. By re-establishing the DOJ’s China Initiative, we can protect our businesses from Chinese spies, secure our critical infrastructure, and safeguard our national security.

China poses a uniquely concerning threat to the United States. We want Iowa farmers — not China — to control our farmland. We need to protect our IP and critical infrastructure from Chinese hackers for the sake of our economic stability. We must investigate and prosecute crimes against our farmers, workers, and businesses to defend our national security. We have an obligation to American taxpayers to stop sending money to China to develop its EV manufacturing capabilities and plunder the world’s natural resources. Serving on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, I will continue my work to strengthen our strategic position against China and keep the United States the strongest, most prosperous country in the world. It’s a critical mission for our country.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District.