Stopping Border Surges Act This bill modifies immigration law provisions relating to unaccompanied alien minors and to asylum seekers.The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to repatriate certain unaccompanied, inadmissible alien children, generally those not at risk of being trafficking victims nor having a fear of persecution. Currently, only inadmissible unaccompanied aliens from neighboring countries are subject to repatriation, and DHS has discretion whether to repatriate.When the Department of Health and Human Services releases an unaccompanied child to an individual, it shall provide DHS with certain information about that individual, including Social Security number and immigration status.The bill requires a stricter standard to find a credible fear of persecution and imposes additional rules on credible fear interviews.If an alien is granted asylum because of fear of persecution in a country, the alien shall be deemed to have renounced asylum status by returning to that country, if there has been no change in the country's conditions.The bill also (1) expands the definition of what constitutes a frivolous asylum application, (2) imposes additional limitations on eligibility for asylum, (3) shortens the deadline for applying for asylum, and (4) extends the time period an alien seeking asylum must wait before receiving employment authorization.Any individual who knowingly and willfully makes materially false statements or uses fraudulent documents in asylum-related proceedings shall be fined or imprisoned up to 10 years, or both.
If passed, this bill would significantly affect various agricultural programs and funding allocations related to meat production. The legislation specifically targets cell-cultured meat, which is meat that comes from animal cells and is produced in a laboratory setting. By restricting federal assistance and funding in this area, the bill aims to direct support and resources exclusively toward traditional meat sources, thereby potentially influencing market dynamics and consumer perceptions around meat products.
House Bill 1116, also known as the 'Right to Eat Authentic and Legitimate Meat Act of 2025' or the 'REAL Meat Act of 2025', seeks to prohibit the use of Federal funds for the support of cell-cultured meat production. The intent of the bill is to limit government spending on a category of food products that some lawmakers consider to be less authentic or traditional than conventional meat. It includes a variety of stipulations aimed at preventing the use of these funds for research, support of meatpacking organizations, and advertising of cell-cultured meat products.
The pushback against HB 1116 is centered around the growing debate on food innovation, sustainability, and consumer choice. Proponents of the bill may argue that it safeguards traditional meat producers and ensures public trust in food safety. However, opponents could contend that the bill stifles innovation in food production methods that could reduce environmental impacts and improve food security. Notably, the bill does offer an exemption for federal funding used by NASA for cell-cultured meat intended for off-planet consumption, which could raise questions about the broader applications and future of cell-cultured food technologies.