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S 4654

Expanding Market Access Act

119th Congress Introduced by Adam Schiff and 1 co-sponsor

S. 4654 would amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to expand U.S. agricultural market access and strengthen trade promotion, enforcement, and related support.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4654

Bill Overview

  • Bill: S. 4654
  • Session: 119th Congress
  • Jurisdiction: United States
  • Title: A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to expand agricultural market access, and for other purposes
  • Introduced: June 2, 2026
  • Sponsored by: Primary sponsor not listed in provided details; co-sponsor: Adam Schiff
  • Current status: Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (as of June 2, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to expand agricultural market access for U.S. producers. By amending the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, it seeks to enhance opportunities for American agricultural goods to reach foreign markets and potentially address barriers that limit export growth.
  • The phrase “and for other purposes” indicates the bill may include additional, related measures to support agricultural trade, market development, or enforcement mechanisms, beyond solely expanding market access.

Key Provisions (as inferred from the bill’s title and purpose)

  • Amendment to the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978: The core change is legislative amendments to the existing act. While the exact text is not provided here, typical amendments in this domain may include:
    • Clarifying or expanding authorities for the Department of Agriculture to identify and remove barriers to export markets.
    • Providing enhanced funding or authorities for trade promotion programs (e.g., market access, export facilitation, and outreach to foreign buyers).
    • Streamlining or expanding approval processes for foreign market entry or for agricultural biotechnology and product standards discussions.
    • Strengthening compliance, reporting, and monitoring mechanisms related to international trade commitments.
  • Market Access Improvements: Potential areas likely addressed include:
    • Trade negotiation support and administrative actions to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers.
    • Technical assistance, market research, and promotion to help producers enter new or under-served markets.
    • Support for small and mid-sized farmers seeking to export specialty crops, grains, livestock, dairy, or processed goods.
  • Other Provisions: The “other purposes” clause may cover related trade enforcement, data collection, transparency enhancements, or coordination with federal trade agencies to monitor progress and effectiveness.

Who Would be Affected

  • U.S. Agricultural Producers: Farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses seeking to export products or expand market access.
  • Export-Dependent Sectors: Commodities with growth potential in international markets (e.g., grains, dairy, fruits, vegetables, nuts, specialty crops, value-added products).
  • Federal Agencies: Department of Agriculture (USDA) and related trade and market development offices would implement or adjust programs under amending authorities.
  • Small and Mid-Sized Enterprises: Entities with limited export experience could receive expanded support, technical assistance, and resources to navigate foreign markets.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced and immediately referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration.
  • Committee Review: As of the latest action (June 2, 2026), the committee will review, potentially amend, and report the bill back to the Senate. The timeline depends on committee action, markup, and eventual floor consideration.
  • Potential Next Steps: If reported favorably, the bill would proceed to Senate floor debate, potential amendments, and votes. If passed, it would move to the House (through the standard bicameral process) or face reconciliation with any companion or related legislation.

Notes and Considerations

  • The available information does not include the bill’s exact text, fiscal implications, or specific funding levels. Once the full text is released, a more detailed analysis would cover:
    • Estimated budgetary impact and funding sources
    • Specific programs or authorities being added or modified
    • Any compliance requirements or reporting mandates
    • Implementation timelines and any sunset clauses or evaluation milestones

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include hypothetical provisions once the bill’s text is available or compare it with prior Agricultural Trade Act amendments for context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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