S.1669 - Crawfish Recovery Assistance from Weather Disasters And Droughts Act; CRAWDAD Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1669, the CRAWDAD Act, aims to improve drought-related disaster assistance programs within the Department of Agriculture. Specifically, it amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to include crawfish farmers in emergency assistance programs and to improve the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
The bill focuses on providing relief to agricultural producers, particularly crawfish farmers, who suffer losses due to adverse weather and drought conditions. It also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish documentation standards for crawfish production and loss conditions.
The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Expected Effects
The CRAWDAD Act will likely expand the scope of existing disaster assistance programs to include crawfish farmers, providing them with financial relief during times of drought and adverse weather. It will also lead to the establishment of specific documentation standards for crawfish production and losses.
Furthermore, the amendment to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program will broaden the definition of livestock to include both weaned and unweaned animals, potentially increasing the number of eligible producers.
Ultimately, this act could stabilize the crawfish industry and provide more comprehensive support to livestock producers during disasters.
Potential Benefits
- Provides financial assistance to crawfish farmers affected by drought and adverse weather.
- Establishes clear documentation standards for crawfish production and loss assessment.
- Expands the definition of livestock in the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
- Potentially stabilizes the crawfish industry and supports rural economies.
- May improve food security by supporting agricultural producers.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased government spending on disaster assistance programs.
- Potential for fraud or misuse of funds if documentation standards are not effectively enforced.
- May create a dependency on government assistance among crawfish farmers.
- Possible administrative burden for the Department of Agriculture in implementing the new provisions.
- Could lead to calls for similar assistance for other niche agricultural products, expanding the scope of disaster relief programs further.
Constitutional Alignment
The CRAWDAD Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the US Constitution, as it aims to support agricultural producers and ensure food security. 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."
Providing disaster relief to farmers can be argued as promoting the general welfare by ensuring a stable food supply and supporting rural communities. The act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
However, the extent to which such interventions should be pursued remains a matter of ongoing debate.
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).