Us Congress House Bill HB2238

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/23
• Refer: 3/29/23

Caption

To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Executive Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights for fiscal year 2024.

Impact

If passed, this legislation would significantly affect the operational capacity of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights by restricting its budget. This limitation could hinder the office's ability to effectively enforce civil rights policies, potentially affecting various stakeholders who rely on the department for equitable treatment and enforcement of civil rights within agricultural programs and services. The bill reflects ongoing discussions and conflicts over the budget allocation and the perceived necessity of civil rights enforcement in the agricultural sector.

Summary

House Bill 2238 seeks to impose a funding limitation on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Executive Operations, specifically targeting the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights for the fiscal year 2024. This bill stipulates that the total amount authorized or available for this office will not exceed $901,000. The intention behind this funding cap is presumably to redirect financial resources or to emphasize a focused oversight on the operations of the civil rights office within the Department of Agriculture.

Contention

The bill's proponents argue that limiting the budget is necessary for fiscal responsibility and to ensure that funds are utilized more efficiently within other pressing areas of the Department of Agriculture. However, opponents of HB2238 contend that such limitations could undermine efforts to address discrimination and promote inclusivity within agricultural practices. The underlying tension revolves around the prioritization of civil rights, with critics highlighting that insufficient funds could lead to a retraction of support for marginalized communities that rely on the Department for advocacy and protection against discrimination.