Agriculture and National Security Act of 2024
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (23 May 2024): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
What this bill does
S. 4420, the Agriculture and National Security Act of 2024, would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give greater priority to national security concerns—alongside its existing homeland security responsibilities—related to food and agriculture. It would require the Secretary of Agriculture to increase the number of department staff holding security clearances, create a new Senior Advisor for National Security position within the Office of the Secretary, and authorize the department to exchange personnel with defense, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies. It also would require the Secretary to submit biennial reports to Congress and the National Security Council assessing vulnerabilities in areas such as foreign ownership, agricultural data control, supply chains, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, along with policy recommendations and resource needs.
The bill primarily affects the USDA's internal organization and its coordination with other federal agencies, including the National Security Council and intelligence and defense agencies. It does not impose direct requirements on private businesses, farmers, or the public, but is intended to strengthen federal oversight of national security risks tied to the food and agriculture sector.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 23, 2024, by Senator Alex Padilla, with Senator Todd Young as a cosponsor, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. As of the latest available information, it has not received a committee vote or further action, and it did not pass before the end of the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
23 May 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Common questions
- What does S. 4420 do?
- S. 4420, the Agriculture and National Security Act of 2024, would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give greater priority to national security concerns—alongside its existing homeland security responsibilities—related to food and agriculture. It would require the Secretary of Agriculture to increase the number of department staff holding security clearances, create a new Senior Advisor for National Security position within the Office of the Secretary, and authorize the department to exchange personnel with defense, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies. It also would require the Secretary to submit biennial reports to Congress and the National Security Council assessing vulnerabilities in areas such as foreign ownership, agricultural data control, supply chains, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, along with policy recommendations and resource needs. The bill primarily affects the USDA's internal organization and its coordination with other federal agencies, including the National Security Council and intelligence and defense agencies. It does not impose direct requirements on private businesses, farmers, or the public, but is intended to strengthen federal oversight of national security risks tied to the food and agriculture sector. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 23, 2024, by Senator Alex Padilla, with Senator Todd Young as a cosponsor, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. As of the latest available information, it has not received a committee vote or further action, and it did not pass before the end of the 118th Congress.
- Has S. 4420 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 4420. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 4420?
- S. 4420 was sponsored by Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 4420?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (23 May 2024).
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