Expanding the VOTE Act

Senate Bill

S. 2589

119th Congress

Expanding the VOTE Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jul 31, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Mazie Hirono

D - HI

Cosponsors

16

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Summary

The Expanding the VOTE Act would provide funding to maintain and upgrade agricultural research facilities across the country. This includes giving the Department of Agriculture more input on research proposals and establishing a grant program to help cover the costs of construction, renovation, and equipment for these facilities.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Introduced7/31/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

ChamberSenate

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Vote Prediction

Expanding the VOTE Act

The Expanding the VOTE Act would provide funding to maintain and upgrade agricultural research facilities across the country. This includes giving the Department of Agriculture more input on research proposals and establishing a grant program to help cover the

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

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0 predictions

The Expanding the VOTE Act would provide funding to maintain and upgrade agricultural research facilities across the country. This includes giving the Department of Agriculture more input on research proposals and establishing a grant program to help cover the costs of construction, renovation, and equipment for these facilities.

Bill Number: 2589
Introduced: 7/31/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Policy Area: Agriculture and Food

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Expanding the VOTE Act
Bill Number: 2589
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Introduced: 7/31/2025
Summary: The Expanding the VOTE Act would provide funding to maintain and upgrade agricultural research facilities across the country. This includes giving the Department of Agriculture more input on research proposals and establishing a grant program to help cover the costs of construction, renovation, and

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Expanding the VOTE Act would provide funding to maintain and upgrade agricultural research facilities across the country. This includes giving the Department of Agriculture more input on research proposals and establishing a grant program to help cover the costs of construction, renovation, and equipment for these facilities.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Augmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-Edge and Helpful Act or the AG RESEARCH Act This bill provides funding for maintenance at agricultural research facilities. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must (1) revise its review process for evaluating proposals for agricultural research facilities to include consulting with representatives of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) peer review panels; and (2) establish a grant program within NIFA to provide agricultural research facilities with a federal share of the cost for the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of the research facilities or the equipment necessary for agricultural research. Additionally, the bill provides funding for the grant program and for USDA to provide direct payments to research facilities of the Agricultural Research Service for addressing deferred maintenance. USDA must give priority to the most critical structures in accordance with the Agricultural Research Service Capital Investment Strategy (April 2012).

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires the Department of Agriculture to revise its review process for agricultural research facility proposals, including consulting with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Creates a grant program within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to help cover the costs of maintaining and modernizing agricultural research facilities.
Provides direct funding for the Department of Agriculture to address deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research Service facilities.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If passed, this bill would benefit agricultural researchers, scientists, and the communities that rely on cutting-edge agricultural innovations. By updating and maintaining research facilities, this legislation could lead to breakthroughs that improve crop yields, reduce environmental impact, and make food production more efficient and sustainable.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

2589, 119th Congress (2025). "Expanding the VOTE Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-2589

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