To prohibit the reduction, elimination, or suspension of funding for land-grant colleges and universities.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3281
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-16T08:05:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, H.R. 3281, aims to protect funding for land-grant colleges and universities by prohibiting the executive branch from reducing, eliminating, or suspending their federal support without explicit approval from Congress. Land-grant institutions are public colleges established under the Morrill Acts to provide education in agriculture, science, and engineering, often with a focus on practical skills for rural and working communities.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Funding Actions: The Secretary of Agriculture, or any other federal official, is barred from taking steps to reduce, eliminate, or suspend funding for land-grant colleges and universities unless such changes are specifically authorized by an Act of Congress (a formal law passed by both the House and Senate).
- Definition: The term "land-grant colleges and universities" is defined as per Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, which includes institutions like state universities focused on agricultural and mechanical education.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a new safeguard by requiring congressional authorization for any funding cuts, shifting authority away from unilateral executive decisions. Previously, federal officials could adjust funding through administrative actions or budget proposals without this explicit restriction, though subject to broader congressional oversight via appropriations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Limits the flexibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other agencies in managing budgets, potentially requiring more legislative involvement in fiscal adjustments and reducing administrative discretion during budget constraints.
- Citizens: Ensures stable funding for educational programs in agriculture, science, and related fields, benefiting students (especially from underserved rural areas), farmers, and communities reliant on extension services (practical outreach programs like farming advice and youth education). It could prevent disruptions to scholarships, research, and training that support economic development in agriculture-dependent regions.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic educational funding without addressing foreign policy or global trade.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Land-Grant Institutions: Over 100 public universities (e.g., Texas A&M, University of California system) that receive federal formula funding for teaching, research, and extension activities.
- Federal Government: Primarily the USDA, which administers much of the funding, and Congress, which gains stronger control over budget decisions.
- Students and Communities: Rural and agricultural populations, including minority-serving institutions like historically Black land-grant universities, who depend on these programs for accessible higher education and workforce development.
- Agricultural Sector: Farmers, agribusinesses, and extension service users who benefit from research and applied knowledge from these institutions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Reinforces the separation of powers by mandating congressional approval for funding changes, aligning with Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the "power of the purse" (control over federal spending). It could lead to legal challenges if executive actions attempt to bypass this, emphasizing statutory limits on administrative authority.
- Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives from agricultural states, it may signal concerns over potential executive-led budget cuts (e.g., in response to fiscal pressures). If enacted, it could influence future appropriations debates, promoting stability for essential public education but potentially complicating emergency budget reallocations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To prohibit the reduction, elimination, or suspension of funding for land-grant colleges and universities. — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (2 pages)