H.R.387 - Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 387, the Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare a report for Congress. This report will detail existing USDA programs and authorities that could assist Texas agricultural producers facing economic losses due to Mexico's failure to deliver water as stipulated by the 1944 treaty.
The bill aims to identify resources that can be deployed to support affected farmers and ranchers in Texas.
The report is to be submitted within 180 days of the Act's enactment to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect will be the preparation and submission of a report by the Secretary of Agriculture.
This report will inform Congress about the resources available to aid Texas agricultural producers.
Ultimately, the bill could lead to increased assistance for Texas farmers and ranchers facing economic hardship due to water shortages.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Awareness: The report will raise awareness within Congress about the specific challenges faced by Texas agricultural producers due to Mexico's water delivery failures.
- Improved Resource Allocation: By identifying existing USDA programs, the report can facilitate better allocation of resources to address the needs of affected producers.
- Potential for New Programs: The report may highlight gaps in existing assistance, potentially leading to the development of new programs tailored to the specific needs of Texas agricultural producers.
- Economic Stability: Providing assistance to agricultural producers can help stabilize the agricultural economy in Texas, benefiting local communities and the state as a whole.
- Compliance with Treaty Obligations: Addressing the economic impact of Mexico's water delivery failures reinforces the importance of adhering to international treaty obligations.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Direct Impact: The bill itself does not directly provide assistance; it only mandates a report. The actual impact depends on subsequent actions taken by Congress and the USDA.
- Potential for Bureaucracy: The process of preparing and submitting the report may involve bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies.
- Cost of Report Preparation: There will be costs associated with preparing the report, although these are likely to be minimal.
- Possible Political Disputes: The issue of water rights and international relations with Mexico could become politicized, hindering effective solutions.
- Uncertainty of Future Action: There is no guarantee that Congress will act on the report's findings or that the USDA will implement any new programs or initiatives.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce and provide for the general welfare. The bill's focus on agricultural assistance falls within the scope of these powers.
There are no apparent constitutional conflicts related to individual rights or federalism.
The bill's directive to the Secretary of Agriculture is an exercise of Congress's legislative authority to oversee executive branch actions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).