United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025
Floor Speech
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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4550) to reauthorize the United States Grain Standards Act, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4550
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
Section 2(b) of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 74(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3)(F), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) that the Secretary shall prioritize the adoption of improved grain grading technology to provide for efficient, accurate, and consistent grading of grain.''. SEC. 3. OFFICIAL INSPECTION AUTHORITY AND FUNDING.
Section 7 of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79) is amended--
(1) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
``(5) The Secretary may provide that domestic non-export grain loaded or unloaded into or out of a rail car, barge, truck, or other container, at an export port location, shall be inspected in the manner provided in this subsection or subsection (f), as the Secretary determines will best meet the objectives of this Act.'';
(2) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ``fund created'' and inserting ``trust fund created''; and
(3) in subsection (j)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``fund which'' and inserting ``trust fund which'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``fund created'' and inserting ``trust fund created''; and
(ii) by striking ``credited to the fund'' and inserting ``credited to the trust fund account''; and
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''. SEC. 4. WEIGHING AUTHORITY.
Section 7A of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``State agency'' and inserting ``State agency or official agency''; and
(2) in subsection (l)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``fund created'' and inserting ``trust fund created'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``fund created'' and inserting ``trust fund created''; and
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''. SEC. 5. TESTING OF EQUIPMENT.
Section 7B(a) of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79b(a)) is amended by striking ``fund created'' and inserting ``trust fund created''. SEC. 6. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY COSTS.
Section 7D of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79d) is amended--
(1) by striking ``activities)'' and inserting ``activities, equipment, and development of technology)''; and
(2) by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''. SEC. 7. GENERAL AUTHORITIES.
Section 16 of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 87e) is amended--
(1) in subsection (e), by striking ``Department of Agriculture'' and inserting ``Department of Agriculture and official agencies''; and
(2) in subsection (j), by striking ``fund created'' and inserting ``trust fund created''. SEC. 8. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
Section 17A(e) of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 87f-1(e)) is amended by striking ``fund described'' and inserting ``trust fund described''. SEC. 9. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
Section 17B(e) of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 87f-2(e)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``The Secretary may, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary'' and inserting ``On December 1 of each year, the Secretary shall'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) an analysis of any and all existing deficiencies in the technology evaluation process and recommendations to advance the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of grain grading and minimize costs imposed on the Federal Government and the grain export industry; and''. SEC. 10. FUNDING.
Section 19 of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 87h) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2021 through 2025'' and inserting ``2026 through 2030''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``other services'' and inserting ``other services (excluding grading services performed under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)''. SEC. 11. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Section 21 of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 87j) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: ``Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the Secretary does not make a new appointment upon the completion of a term of an existing member (including such existing member's second successive term), then such existing member shall continue to serve until such appointment is made.''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025, a piece of legislation that is more than 100 years old and plays a vital role in preserving safety, quality, and a standard of excellence for the American grain industry.
If we want America to maintain its status as the safest, most abundant grain supply in the world, reauthorization of this act before several of its key provisions expire at the end of September is absolutely essential.
Originally passed in 1916, the United States Grain Standards Act gave the Federal Government the authority to set official marketing standards for grains and oilseeds. It also provided a framework for inspection and weighing procedures.
Because of the United States Grain Standards Act, the American grain industry has developed an enduring reputation for consistency and quality in the global market.
This vital tool plays a critical role in reinforcing the strength of our agriculture supply chain. It ensures that farmers, whether they grow corn, sorghum, soybeans, or any other grain, receive a fair price that reflects the quality of their crop. It allows buyers of U.S. grain to feel confident in the safety and quality of the products they need.
The United States Grain Standards Act also supports U.S. trade, a crucial part of the American farm economy. In 2024, the U.S. exported more than $26 billion of American grains. In just my home State of Pennsylvania alone, almost $100 million of corn and barley are exported every year.
These exports make a difference to the bottom line for family farmers in Pennsylvania and across our country.
American agriculture has certainly changed since 1916, and the United States Grain Standards Act continues to evolve with the times. The 2025 reauthorization of the act includes key improvements that will help grain standards continue to modernize while emphasizing cost- effectiveness from both government and industry.
This legislation promotes technological innovation by advancing grain grading tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency while giving USDA the flexibility to invest in critical technological upgrades. Annual reports on technological challenges and solutions ensure Congress remains informed and transparency is maintained.
This bill will improve long-term financial management by allowing user fees to be deposited into interest-bearing trust funds. It also grants the Secretary authority to permit domestic grain inspection at export ports, facilitating faster, more flexible service where needed. Finally, it ensures that advisory committee members may continue serving until replacements are appointed, preserving expertise and continuity.
While much of the act is permanently authorized, such as mandatory inspection and weighing of exported grain, there are important provisions set to expire at the end of this month. A lapse in authorization would disrupt the current grain inspection and weighing process, cost the farm economy more than $70 million a day, and create serious consequences for American family farms, our supply chain, and our international trading partners. These disruptions are entirely avoidable.
We are doing our farmers and export partners a disservice if we don't do our jobs and get this critical piece of legislation across the finish line. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in voting ``yes'' for the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025.
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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, first, I thank the gentlewoman from the Wheat State for her leadership on the Agriculture Committee and on this topic in particular.
Mr. Speaker, I now yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott), chairman of the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee and vice chair of the full Agriculture Committee.
Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 4550. This legislation reauthorizes the United States Grain Standards Act, a cornerstone of American agriculture and trade for nearly a century.
Mr. Speaker, I don't want to go any further without first thanking Chairman Thompson for his work, Ranking Member Craig for her work, and the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids) for her work on this piece of legislation.
As chairman of the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee, I, too, have seen firsthand the importance of this law. Earlier this year, we held a hearing with industry stakeholders to discuss the act's significance and explore ways to foster innovation.
The provisions in this bill ensure transparency, market confidence, and fair price discovery, all of which are essential to a functioning agricultural market.
H.R. 4550 not only reauthorizes this critical legislation, but also advances grain grading technology to modernize inspection and weighing services. These updates will help the industry adopt new technologies, improve the accuracy and the efficiency of grain standards, and keep American agriculture competitive in a global market.
Allowing this law's authority to lapse would have severe consequences, costing our farm economy over $70 million a day and disrupting supply chains and international trade partnerships.
Exports of grain and grain products in my home State of Georgia contribute over $900 million annually in economic output. The United States exports over $26 billion of grain on an annual basis. These numbers underscore the need for uninterrupted, reliable, and cost- effective inspection services.
H.R. 4550 protects these essential services and helps maintain the United States' reputation as the global standard in grain production.
I was proud to work with Ranking Member Davids on the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee to hold a hearing that laid the groundwork for this reauthorization.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support its final passage.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids) for her passionate work on behalf of America's number one industry, agriculture, and on this specific piece of legislation.
I thank my good friend from Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott) for his leadership as subcommittee chair with the area of jurisdiction from which this bill comes.
Mr. Speaker, it is not too often we have the opportunity to take a piece of legislation that is over 100 years old in its origin and modernize it into the 21st century. That is what we have done with the technological advancements and the transparency.
I am very proud of the work that our Agriculture Committee has done. I certainly would encourage a ``yes'' vote on this piece of legislation.
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