H.R.91 - Freedom for Farmers Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 91, the "Freedom for Farmers Act of 2025," proposes to abolish the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) one year after the Act's enactment. The bill transfers the ATSDR's authority regarding national registries of diseases and persons exposed to toxic substances to another agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It also outlines procedures for winding down the ATSDR's functions and responsibilities.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the ATSDR would cease to exist, and its responsibilities related to toxic substances and disease registries would be transferred within HHS. This could lead to changes in how the federal government addresses public health concerns related to environmental toxins. The bill also makes conforming amendments to other laws to reflect the abolishment of the ATSDR.
Potential Benefits
- Potential for streamlining government operations and reducing bureaucratic overlap.
- May lead to a more efficient allocation of resources within the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Could result in a renewed focus on addressing toxic substances and disease through a different organizational structure.
- Conforming amendments could simplify and clarify existing laws.
- Opportunity for HHS to modernize and improve data collection and analysis related to toxic exposures.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Loss of a specialized agency focused on toxic substances and their impact on public health.
- Potential disruption in ongoing research and monitoring programs related to toxic exposures.
- Risk of reduced expertise and attention to environmental health issues within HHS.
- Possible delays or inefficiencies during the transfer of authority and responsibilities.
- Concerns that the new agency may not be as effective in addressing the needs of communities affected by toxic substances.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality primarily rests on the powers granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, which includes the power to "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof." The creation and abolishment of agencies fall under this purview.
The transfer of authority to the Secretary of Health and Human Services aligns with the delegation of powers within the executive branch. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
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).