Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Strategic Fertilizer Reserve Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S4933-4935; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4932-4933)
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 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study whether it is possible to create a Strategic Fertilizer Reserve for storing and managing fertilizer products and their inputs. If the study shows it is feasible, the bill establishes a new independent government agency called the Strategic Fertilizer Reserve Agency and creates the actual reserve itself. The reserve is intended to help stabilize fertilizer prices, reduce supply disruptions, and protect food security for the American people. The bill also sets up a board of directors, establishes a funding account in the Treasury, and puts strict conflict of interest and ethics rules in place. Finally, the bill requires regular reports to Congress and a review by the Government Accountability Office to keep officials accountable.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Would farmers be better off under this?
The Strategic Fertilizer Reserve is specifically designed to protect agricultural producers from supply shocks, price spikes, and high input costs.
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Rural economies and agricultural communities stand to benefit directly from stabilized fertilizer supplies and prices.
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The legislation imposes strict conflict of interest rules, annual reporting requirements, and Government Accountability Office reviews.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to study, establish, and maintain the reserve, potentially increasing federal expenditures.
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The legislation requires new federal spending to establish and operate the Strategic Fertilizer Reserve Agency and its facilities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better food security and price stabilization for consumers and farmers: The bill sets a policy to reduce the impact of supply disruptions and stabilize fertilizer prices, which in turn aims to keep the cost of food down for everyday United States consumers and help farmers with production costs. This is outlined in Section 6(b).
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Broad representation of working agricultural sectors: The board that runs the agency must include members from various walks of agricultural life, such as row crop farmers, specialty crop producers, livestock and dairy producers, beginning and young farmers, and small and mid-sized farmers, ensuring everyday agricultural workers have a voice. This is detailed in Section 5(b)(4)(B).
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Strict ethics rules to hold officials accountable: The bill prohibits the President, Vice President, board members, and agency employees from holding financial interests in entities that contract with the reserve, and it requires strict disclosures and enforcement to prevent corruption. This is found in Section 9.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Unspecified taxpayer costs and funding needs: The bill authorizes the appropriation of "such sums as are necessary" to carry out the Act, but does not provide a hard dollar cap on how much taxpayer money will be spent to set up, maintain, and operate the reserve and its agency. This is detailed in Section 4(a)(12), Section 4(a)(13), and Section 12.
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 Strategic Fertilizer Reserve is specifically designed to protect agricultural producers from supply shocks, price spikes, and high input costs. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural economies and agricultural communities stand to benefit directly from stabilized fertilizer supplies and prices. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By aiming to stabilize fertilizer prices and keep food costs down, low-income consumers could benefit from reduced food price volatility. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Stabilizing agricultural input costs helps prevent broader consumer food price spikes, benefiting middle-class households. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young and beginning farmers are explicitly included in the advisory board representation to support new agricultural entrants.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation imposes strict conflict of interest rules, annual reporting requirements, and Government Accountability Office reviews. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new independent federal agency and authorizes federal acquisition of land and facilities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill creates a federal reserve system aimed at protecting rural economies, agricultural producers, and food security.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The reserve is intended to help stabilize fertilizer prices and protect agricultural producers, which directly benefits farm operations. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — By stabilizing fertilizer prices and mitigating supply disruptions, the bill aims to help reduce upward pressure on agricultural production and consumer food costs. Is this likely to create jobs? — The establishment of storage facilities and agency operations could create some jobs related to fertilizer management and infrastructure. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The legislation requires new federal spending to establish and operate the Strategic Fertilizer Reserve Agency and its facilities. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to study, establish, and maintain the reserve, potentially increasing federal expenditures.
- 9/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S4933-4935; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4932-4933)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota