Legis Daily

Ag Disputes Act

USA119th CongressS-743| Senate 
| Updated: 2/26/2025
Bill Cassidy

Bill Cassidy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (4)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Tommy Tuberville (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the "Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act," aims to enhance U.S. agricultural competitiveness by addressing foreign trade barriers. It asserts that a healthy, rules-based trading system is vital for U.S. agriculture exports and that existing barriers harm domestic producers and consumers. The legislation emphasizes the effectiveness of dispute settlement through trade agreements to resolve these issues. A central provision is the establishment of an Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force within 30 days of enactment, composed of employees from the Foreign Agricultural Service, USTR, and other federal agencies. This Task Force will identify trade barriers vulnerable to dispute settlement under WTO or other agreements, develop enforcement strategies, and seek like-minded trading partners for joint complaints. It is also required to consult with private sector stakeholders and other federal agencies. The Task Force must submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing identified systemic and economically significant trade barriers, progress on dispute settlement cases, and the status of ongoing disputes. Crucially, the bill specifically directs the Task Force to include in its first report a detailed plan for initiating World Trade Organization (WTO) consultations with India regarding its agricultural price support programs. This plan must outline specific claims and a timeline for requesting consultations and, if necessary, establishing a WTO panel if India fails to provide a satisfactory path to compliance within 60 days.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2992
Ag Disputes Act
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2992
    Ag Disputes Act


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Advisory bodiesAgricultural tradeAsiaCongressional oversightFree trade and trade barriersIndia

Ag Disputes Act

USA119th CongressS-743| Senate 
| Updated: 2/26/2025
This bill, known as the "Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act," aims to enhance U.S. agricultural competitiveness by addressing foreign trade barriers. It asserts that a healthy, rules-based trading system is vital for U.S. agriculture exports and that existing barriers harm domestic producers and consumers. The legislation emphasizes the effectiveness of dispute settlement through trade agreements to resolve these issues. A central provision is the establishment of an Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force within 30 days of enactment, composed of employees from the Foreign Agricultural Service, USTR, and other federal agencies. This Task Force will identify trade barriers vulnerable to dispute settlement under WTO or other agreements, develop enforcement strategies, and seek like-minded trading partners for joint complaints. It is also required to consult with private sector stakeholders and other federal agencies. The Task Force must submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing identified systemic and economically significant trade barriers, progress on dispute settlement cases, and the status of ongoing disputes. Crucially, the bill specifically directs the Task Force to include in its first report a detailed plan for initiating World Trade Organization (WTO) consultations with India regarding its agricultural price support programs. This plan must outline specific claims and a timeline for requesting consultations and, if necessary, establishing a WTO panel if India fails to provide a satisfactory path to compliance within 60 days.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2992
Ag Disputes Act
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2992
    Ag Disputes Act


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Bill Cassidy

Bill Cassidy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (4)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Tommy Tuberville (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)

Finance Committee

Foreign Trade and International Finance

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesAgricultural tradeAsiaCongressional oversightFree trade and trade barriersIndia