A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 372–35
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act directs the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture to engage in joint research and development activities. These agencies will coordinate through a memorandum of understanding or other interagency agreements. The bill establishes a competitive, merit-reviewed process for various entities to participate. Research areas include topics like machine learning, crop science, biofuels, and grid security. The act also allows for the development of data methods and the support of research infrastructure. Finally, the Secretaries must submit a detailed report to relevant House and Senate committees within two years.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +5
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill explicitly targets research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural operations.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The act establishes a formal process for collaborative, competitive research and development.
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill focuses on biofuels and sustainable energy technologies.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 372 yes · 35 no
03/24/2025 · Roll call 73 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Research Opportunities for Institutions: The bill requires a competitive, merit-reviewed process that considers applications from Federal agencies, National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions (Section 2(b)).
-
Agricultural and Energy Advancements: Research focus areas include modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to optimize algorithms for agriculture and energy (Section 2(c)(1)(A)).
-
Environmental and Resource Benefits: The bill targets research in integrated natural resources, the energy-water nexus, and advanced biomass/biofuels (Section 2(c)(1)(B-D)).
-
Improved Agricultural Efficiency: The act allows for research and demonstration of methods to improve the efficiency of agriculture operations and the processing of agricultural products (Section 2(c)(5)(A)).
-
Climate Impact Reduction: The bill includes provisions to research methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with agricultural operations and processing (Section 2(c)(5)(B)).
-
Safety and Infrastructure Support: Research areas include grid modernization, grid security, and wildfire risks and prevention (Section 2(c)(1)(J-L)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill explicitly targets research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural operations. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill includes research in rural technology development and precision agriculture. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill focuses on biofuels and sustainable energy technologies. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill addresses wildfire risk and prevention research. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — It addresses natural resource management and wildfire risk prevention. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The research includes integrated natural resources and ecosystem services.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill focuses on advancements in crop science, precision agriculture, and operational efficiency. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill explicitly targets rural technology development and precision agriculture. Would students be better off under this? — The emphasis on research infrastructure and workforce development benefits higher education institutions. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports industry partners and agricultural/energy sector research.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By advancing agricultural and energy technologies, the bill supports long-term economic competitiveness. Is this likely to create jobs? — The focus on workforce development and rural technology could support future job growth.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The act establishes a formal process for collaborative, competitive research and development.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill specifically targets grid security and modernization.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a detailed report to Congress within two years. Does this give the federal government more power? — It increases interagency coordination between the DOE and USDA.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill directs interagency research and development activities.
- 3/25/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3/24/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 35 (Roll no. 73). (text: CR H1204)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 35 (Roll no. 73). (text: CR H1204)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1214)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1326.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1204-1205)
- Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 3/14/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- 2/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/13/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York