H.R.389 - Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.389, the Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act, aims to amend the Food Security Act of 1985. It authorizes payments under the environmental quality incentives program to assist agricultural producers in implementing conservation practices along the southern border of Texas. The bill focuses on addressing damage to agricultural land and infrastructure in specific counties.
Expected Effects
The bill would provide financial assistance to farmers and ranchers in designated Texas counties along the southern border. This assistance would be used to implement conservation practices aimed at repairing damage to agricultural land and infrastructure. The contracts for these payments would have a term of one year.
Potential Benefits
- Provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers along the southern border of Texas.
- Supports conservation practices to repair damage to agricultural land and infrastructure.
- Addresses natural resource concerns and problems in the specified counties.
- Could improve the long-term viability of agricultural operations in the region.
- May lead to enhanced environmental stewardship in the border region.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited in scope to specific counties in Texas, potentially excluding other areas with similar needs.
- One-year contract term may not be sufficient for long-term conservation projects.
- Potential for bureaucratic hurdles in accessing the funds.
- May not address the root causes of the damage to agricultural land and infrastructure.
- Could be perceived as a localized benefit rather than a broader national agricultural policy.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as it aims to promote the well-being of farmers and ranchers in a specific region. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States." The allocation of funds for conservation practices can be interpreted as promoting the general welfare by supporting agricultural viability and addressing environmental concerns.
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).