Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this month reintroduced the America Grows Act, a bipartisan bill that would require a 5% annual increase plus inflation each year for the next 10 years for research activities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Both senators serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and they framed the measure as an effort to restore federal support for publicly funded agricultural science. The bill targets research as a lever to strengthen U.S. farm competitiveness, develop markets and address production challenges facing producers nationwide.
Research targets
The legislation directs the funding increases to USDA research programs at the Agriculture Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the National Agriculture Statistics Service and the Economic Research Service. Those agencies support a mix of in-house science, university-led projects, national agricultural data collection and economic and policy analysis for producers and policymakers. The bill text names each agency as a recipient, aiming to expand both basic and applied research capacity across USDA.
Lawmakers' rationale
Durbin said the bill would "reinvigorate our publicly funded agriculture innovations" and push the industry forward through more breakthroughs. Moran emphasized the importance of prioritizing research and technology so U.S. farmers and ranchers can remain competitive globally and continue to "feed, fuel and clothe the world." Both senators cited outcomes such as improved cropping systems, disease prevention, expanded domestic and export markets, and training for skilled jobs in food and agriculture.
The measure ties research investment to concrete reporting and program channels already operated by USDA, including competitive grants through land-grant universities and nationwide statistics and forecasting functions. Supporters say stronger federal funding would accelerate solutions for plant and animal disease transmission, farm productivity, and supply-chain resilience, though the bill must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law before funds are authorized.
Congressional next steps
If enacted, the America Grows Act would establish a 10-year plan to increase USDA research appropriations and ensure sustained budgets for research priorities. The proposal would require annual funding growth for the specified USDA research accounts and rely on congressional appropriations to implement the increases. The bill’s advancement in the Senate Appropriations and Agriculture committees will determine whether the plan moves to floor consideration and negotiation with the House.
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