S.1781 - Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act of 2025; LIP Enhancement Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1781, the Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act of 2025, aims to amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to include additional payments for unborn livestock under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide payments to eligible producers who have experienced unborn livestock death losses exceeding normal mortality rates, starting January 1, 2024. The payment rate will be determined by the Secretary but cannot exceed 85% of the payment rate for the lowest weight class of livestock.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill will expand the scope of the LIP to cover unborn livestock losses, providing financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who experience such losses due to adverse weather or other eligible conditions. This could incentivize better livestock management practices and help stabilize the agricultural sector. The additional payments are intended to offset economic losses incurred by livestock producers.
Potential Benefits
- Provides financial relief to livestock producers who experience unborn livestock losses.
- May encourage better livestock management and reporting of losses.
- Could stabilize the agricultural sector by reducing the financial impact of livestock deaths.
- Addresses a gap in the existing LIP program by including unborn livestock.
- Potentially increases the overall viability of livestock farming operations.
Potential Disadvantages
- The payment rate is determined by the Secretary, which could lead to inconsistencies or perceived unfairness.
- The cost of the additional payments may strain the LIP budget, potentially reducing funds available for other livestock losses.
- Defining and verifying 'unborn livestock death losses' could be challenging and lead to administrative burdens.
- The program may disproportionately benefit larger livestock operations with higher rates of unborn livestock.
- Potential for fraud or abuse in claiming losses of unborn livestock.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to support the agricultural sector and provide financial assistance to livestock producers. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. This bill falls under the purview of Congress's power to legislate for the general welfare.
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).