🚨 The FBI just arrested a Chinese researcher for smuggling a deadly crop fungus into the U.S. without USDA approval and with links to a CCP-tied lab.
The fungus they smuggled in is called “Fusarium graminearum”, and it could have:
🌾 Devastated crop yields for corn & soybeans
🍽️ Seriously disrupted the entire U.S. food supply
🛒 Led to empty shelves and food shortages across the U.S.
Why it matters: This escalation exposes a gap in current law where prosecutors must prove intent in order to charge suspected agroterrorists.
This week, I’m leading the PLANT Act to close that gap and give the government new tools to combat agroterrorism. Learn more by watching my interview with KCCI: ⬇️
The PLANT Act would:
✅ Make it a federal crime to knowingly bring high-risk agricultural pathogens into the U.S. without authorization
✅ Close loopholes that let foreign operatives hide behind “research” claims
✅ Grant USDA and DOJ the power to stop threats before they endanger lives
✅ Impose up to 20 years in prison for foreign-backed agroterrorism on U.S. soil
Bottom Line: Iowa’s farmers feed the world — and they deserve strong protections. I’m fighting to ensure our food supply is secure and our laws are strong enough to meet today’s threats.