Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6780
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T08:09:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act (PROTEIN Act, H.R. 6780) aims to promote innovation in alternative protein sources through biotechnology. It seeks to diversify the U.S. food system by investing in research, development, and production of proteins derived from under-utilized biomass (like plant waste) using biomanufacturing (biological processes to create products) and bioprocessing (methods to refine biological materials). This is intended to enhance food security, create jobs, boost economic productivity, and strengthen supply chains against global challenges like rising meat demand and foreign dependencies.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Sec. 2): Outlines congressional rationale, including the economic benefits of agricultural research (e.g., $20 return per $1 invested), job creation potential (up to 10 million globally by 2050), and the role of protein innovation in national security and supply chain resilience.
- Research Centers of Excellence (Sec. 3): Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize at least three centers focused on alternative proteins, with one led by a historically Black land-grant university (an 1890 Institution). These centers will conduct research on biomanufacturing, biomass conversion into proteins/fats, and workforce training in fields like agricultural science and engineering. Authorizes $15 million annually from FY2026-2030; requires annual reports to Congress on investments and activities.
- Amendments to Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (Sec. 4): Expands competitive grant priorities to include tools for increasing edible protein availability via bioprocessing and biomass conversion.
- Agricultural Research Service Program (Sec. 5): Establishes a new national program within the Agricultural Research Service focused on bioprocessing, biomanufacturing, and biomass conversion to support rural prosperity and farmer profits. Authorizes $10 million annually from FY2026-2030.
- Food Biomanufacturing and Production Grants (Sec. 6): Creates a grant program for U.S.-based entities (e.g., nonprofits, universities, governments) to fund demonstration projects, new facilities, or upgrades for large-scale production of edible proteins and fats. Grants are at least $10 million each; authorizes $50 million annually from FY2026-2030.
- Food Bioworkforce Development Grants (Sec. 7): Establishes competitive grants for training programs, scholarships, economic planning, technical assistance, and business support in biomanufacturing and bioprocessing. Eligible applicants include governments, organizations, and Native American tribes; authorizes $25 million annually from FY2026-2030.
- National Strategy on Alternative Proteins (Sec. 8): Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with other federal leaders (e.g., Defense, Energy, Commerce), to develop a whole-of-government strategy within one year. It must address scientific advancements, barriers (e.g., regulations), interagency coordination, and goals like maintaining U.S. leadership in food biomanufacturing.
- Rule of Construction (Sec. 9): Clarifies that the Act does not support producing insects for human food or animal feed.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to add a new subsection on centers of excellence, emphasizing alternative proteins and requiring inclusion of diverse institutions.
- Modifies Section 2(b)(2)(E) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to insert a new priority for bioprocessing and biomass conversion in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, shifting focus toward innovative protein sources.
- Introduces entirely new programs (Secs. 5-7) within the Department of Agriculture, including dedicated funding streams not previously authorized, to target protein security and workforce needs.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload and funding for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Agricultural Research Service, requiring new program administration, grant oversight, and interagency collaboration (e.g., with Defense and Energy departments). Other agencies like the National Science Foundation and FDA may contribute to the national strategy, potentially streamlining federal efforts in biotech.
- Citizens: Could create jobs in biotech and agriculture (e.g., 55,000+ in plant-based foods already), provide more affordable and diverse protein options, and enhance food security amid global demand growth. Rural communities and farmers may benefit from higher profits via biomass use, while students gain access to scholarships and training.
- International Relations: Positions the U.S. to compete with countries increasing investments in alternative proteins, reducing reliance on foreign commodities like grains. It may improve global food security and U.S. influence in the bioeconomy, though it emphasizes domestic production to bolster supply chain resilience.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily USDA, but also Departments of Defense, Energy, and Commerce; National Science Foundation; FDA; CDC; EPA; and Office of Science and Technology Policy.
- Educational and Research Institutions: Universities (especially 1890 Institutions serving minority communities), community colleges, and national labs, which lead centers and receive grants for research and training.
- Private Sector and Farmers: U.S.-based companies, nonprofits, and farmers producing biomass feedstocks, benefiting from grants for facilities, production, and market expansion.
- Workforce and Communities: Workers in biomanufacturing, students pursuing STEM-agriculture careers, rural areas, and Native American tribes through training and economic development.
- Consumers: American public gaining from diversified, resilient food supplies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Authorizes specific appropriations without mandating them, giving Congress flexibility in budgeting. The rule excluding insect production limits scope to avoid unintended expansions. Emphasizes U.S. ownership/control in grants to protect intellectual property and national interests.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers under the Commerce Clause to regulate agriculture and interstate commerce, promoting economic welfare without infringing on states (as it includes state/local governments in eligibility).
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Democrats and Republicans) signals broad support for bioeconomy innovation. It addresses national security via food (e.g., reducing bioterrorism risks) and equity (via 1890 Institutions), potentially bridging rural-urban divides. However, it may spark debates on regulatory barriers or federal spending priorities in a competitive global landscape.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- 2025-12-17: 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.
- 2025-12-17: 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.
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (14 pages)