Don Bacon (R-NE)
American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize various "centers of excellence" to conduct research, extension, and education programs. These centers will focus on diverse areas such as aquaculture, biosecurity, cybersecurity, and crop production. The act also establishes an Agriculture and Food Protection Grant Program to defend the food supply from catastrophic threats. Funding is authorized for these initiatives through the year 2030.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +8
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill provides significant support, training, and capital access for beginning farmers and ranchers.
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill authorizes significant new funding for agricultural, biosecurity, and cybersecurity research.
- Scored +7
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill focuses on economic returns and workforce development specifically for rural communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for New Farmers: The bill provides for training for beginning farmers and ranchers, including help with agribusiness management, mentoring, technical assistance, and access to capital (Section 2, subsection (a)(2)(B)).
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Food Safety and Quality: Research will be directed toward improving food quality, specifically regarding the levels of substances like inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, or mercury in food (Section 2, subsection (a)(2)(I)).
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Economic Growth in Rural Areas: The establishment of centers of excellence aims to increase economic returns to rural communities by directing funds to high-priority agricultural issues and focusing on workforce development (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(D)).
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Protection of the Food Supply: The bill focuses on defending the food supply from biosecurity or cybersecurity attacks and other global catastrophic and existential threats (Section 2, subsection (a)(2)(C) and Section 3, subsection (a)).
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Environmental and Forest Health: Provisions include research into forest productivity, reforestation, and the development of nature-based solutions to improve soil quality (Section 2, subsection (a)(2)(K) and subsection (b)(2)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Fund Usage: Funds provided for the centers of excellence cannot be used for the construction of new buildings or the expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing facilities (Section 2, subsection (a)(5)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill provides significant support, training, and capital access for beginning farmers and ranchers. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill focuses on economic returns and workforce development specifically for rural communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports agribusiness management and training for new farmers. Would students be better off under this? — The bill funds educational and training programs in agricultural and veterinary sciences. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes support for Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill prioritizes economic returns and workforce development in rural communities. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill focuses on forest health, reforestation, and protecting the food supply from biological threats. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill includes research for forest productivity and landscape restoration. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill includes research into biochar and soil organic compounds to improve environmental health.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill focuses on improving food quality and reducing harmful substances in food. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides training and access to capital specifically for beginning farmers and ranchers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill aims to increase economic returns to rural communities through targeted agricultural research. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports workforce development and training for beginning farmers and ranchers.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes significant new funding for agricultural, biosecurity, and cybersecurity research.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill explicitly funds biosecurity and cybersecurity to protect the food supply.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reports to Congressional committees regarding project funding and outcomes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the Secretary of Agriculture's role in recognizing centers of excellence.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill funds research into food quality and safety to mitigate health risks.
- 12/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa