Support Our Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2025
Summary
The "Support Our Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2025" (S. 3058) aims to provide financial assistance to agricultural producers. It allocates $20 billion in qualifying tariff proceeds for one-time payments to eligible farmers and ranchers facing revenue and production losses. The funds are intended to cover expenses related to covered commodities, specialty crops, livestock, and poultry.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would provide immediate financial relief to agricultural producers. This could stabilize the agricultural sector and help producers recover from losses. The Act defines key terms such as "covered commodity," "eligible agricultural producer," and "qualifying tariff proceeds" to clarify eligibility and funding sources.
Potential Benefits
- Provides direct financial assistance to farmers and ranchers.
- Addresses revenue and production losses in the agricultural sector.
- Utilizes existing tariff proceeds, potentially avoiding new taxes.
- Supports the production of a variety of agricultural products, including livestock and specialty crops.
- Aims to stabilize the agricultural economy.
Potential Disadvantages
- The reliance on tariff proceeds makes funding dependent on trade policies.
- The one-time payment structure may not provide long-term stability.
- The definition of "qualifying tariff proceeds" could be subject to interpretation and change.
- The Secretary of Agriculture has broad discretion in administering the payments, potentially leading to inconsistencies.
- The Act does not address the root causes of the losses experienced by agricultural producers.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, which is relevant to the use of tariff proceeds. The allocation of funds to agricultural producers falls under Congress's power to regulate commerce and provide 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).