Sponsors (2)
The bill aims to better organize and potentially fund agricultural genomics research—offering farmers and researchers long-term benefits—while risking implementation uncertainty and possible funding or scope reductions that could delay or diminish those benefits.
Farmers and rural communities could gain improved crop resilience and productivity if strengthened goals or funding for the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative lead to new research outputs and technologies.
Scientists and agricultural researchers would have clearer statutory authority and a more stable funding/organizational structure for the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative, enabling more coordinated crop and livestock genomics research.
If the amendment reduces funding or narrows the Initiative's scope, farmers and consumers could see slower development of improved crops and reduced research benefits, and other USDA programs could face budgetary tradeoffs.
Researchers and ongoing projects could face uncertainty or disruption if changes to statutory language shift program priorities or funding during implementation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Replaces the statutory subsection that reauthorizes the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative, updating the legal authority for USDA-run genome-to-phenome research coordination.
Official title: Amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to reauthorize the Genome to Phenome Initiative.
Introduced July 22, 2026 by David Harold McCormick · Last progress July 22, 2026
Reauthorizes and replaces the statutory language governing the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, updating the legal authorization that enables the program to operate. The bill strikes the existing text of the statutory subsection and inserts new language to extend and modify the Initiative's reauthorization terms. The change affects the legal basis for USDA-managed research coordination and funding tied to translating genomic data into observable plant and animal traits, helping continue and possibly reshape federal support for agricultural genomics research and related activities.