Expressing the sense that Congress and the administration must work together, with urgency, to pursue effective food and agricultural trade policies.

Bill Number

H.Res. 230

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Last Updated

2025-05-12T18:09:10Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 230) expresses the sense of Congress that lawmakers and the executive branch (the administration) must collaborate urgently to develop and implement effective trade policies for the U.S. food and agriculture sectors. It highlights the importance of these industries to the U.S. economy and global food security, while addressing recent declines in exports and trade barriers.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes background "Whereas" clauses outlining the significance of U.S. agriculture, followed by a "Resolved" section that urges specific policy components:

• Renewed commitment to market access: Secure new and expanded opportunities for U.S. food and agriculture exports to maintain global competitiveness.
• Support for trade promotion programs: Strongly back domestic programs that aid all sectors of U.S. agriculture in promoting exports.
• Comprehensive trade agreements: Consider new agreements with key partners, emphasizing lower tariffs on U.S. exports and removal of unjustified trade barriers.
• Enforcement of existing agreements: Vigorously enforce commitments in multilateral (e.g., World Trade Organization) and bilateral trade deals, including improved processes to uphold U.S. trade laws for agricultural producers.
• Elimination of nontariff barriers: Use efficient dispute settlement (formal processes to resolve trade disputes) to remove unwarranted restrictions not based on scientific evidence.
• Science-based global trading system: Promote international trade in food and agriculture grounded in sound science through bilateral/regional deals, the World Trade Organization, and other bodies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it does not amend or create new laws. It serves as a formal statement of congressional intent rather than enforceable legislation, with no direct alterations to current statutes or regulations.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: Encourages closer coordination between Congress and agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, potentially leading to prioritized funding for trade enforcement and promotion programs.
• On citizens: Could boost economic opportunities for workers in agriculture and related manufacturing (which supports about 20% of U.S. manufacturing jobs), while addressing a projected $37 billion trade deficit in 2024 that contrasts with historical surpluses.
• On international relations: May strengthen U.S. negotiating positions in global trade talks, reduce barriers in markets like Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and reinforce the U.S. role as a major food aid donor, enhancing food security worldwide.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. farmers and ranchers: Primary beneficiaries through expanded export markets and reduced barriers.
• Agriculture industry and supply chain workers: Impacts jobs and economic output (valued at $9.6 trillion in 2023, with exports at nearly $200 billion).
• Government entities: Congress, the administration (including USDA and trade offices), and international bodies like the World Trade Organization.
• Global trading partners: Countries facing U.S. pressure to lower tariffs and nontariff barriers, potentially affecting bilateral relations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: As a "sense of Congress" resolution, it has no binding force but can influence executive actions under existing trade authorities (e.g., enforcing WTO rules). It underscores the constitutional division of powers, with Congress asserting its role in trade policy oversight.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's constitutional authority over foreign commerce (Article I, Section 8), signaling bipartisan support for collaborative policymaking without overriding executive trade negotiation powers.
• Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives from agricultural states, it highlights urgency amid a 9% export decline in 2023, potentially pressuring future administrations to prioritize agriculture in trade agendas and fostering cross-aisle unity on economic issues.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]

Cosponsors (19)

Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
• 2025-03-18: Submitted in House
• 2025-03-18: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing the sense that Congress and the administration must work together, with urgency, to pursue effective food and agricultural trade policies. — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (4 pages)