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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6780

Rep. Brownley Introduces the PROtein Act to Boost Alternative Protein Research and U.S. Manufacturing

Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Legislative Progress

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Senate
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Law

Key Points

  • The bill creates at least three research centers focused on alternative protein innovation, with one required to be led by a historically Black land-grant university (an 1890 Institution). These centers would research biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, and converting plant biomass into edible proteins and fats at scale.

    From policy text

    “The Secretary shall recognize not fewer than 3 centers of excellence, one of which will be led by an 1890 Institution (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)), to focus on the areas specified in paragraph (2) relating to the advancement of emerging and innovative food and agriculture with an emphasis on diversifying edible protein sources.”
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  • A grant program offering at least $10 million per grant would help U.S.-owned companies build or upgrade food biomanufacturing facilities, with $50 million authorized annually from 2026 through 2030. Only entities headquartered in the U.S. and at least 51% owned by American citizens are eligible.

    From policy text

    “The amount of a grant awarded under this section shall be not less than $10,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in paragraph (1).”
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  • A $25 million annual workforce development program would fund employee training, scholarships for students at community colleges and universities, and regional economic development planning in food biomanufacturing. Tribal nations are also explicitly eligible.

    From policy text

    “provide higher-education scholarships to students pursuing careers in food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing, including at community colleges”
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  • The bill directs USDA to create a national strategy on protein security within one year, coordinating across nine agencies including the Departments of Defense, Energy, Commerce, NSF, NIH, FDA, CDC, EPA, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

    From policy text

    “establish a national strategy on protein security in coordination with the Secretaries concerned that meets the requirements of subsection (c)”
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  • In total, the bill authorizes $100 million per year for five years (FY 2026–2030) across its three main programs: $15 million for research centers, $10 million for an Agricultural Research Service program, $50 million for biomanufacturing grants, and $25 million for workforce development.
  • The bill explicitly prohibits the use of any of its funds for insect-based food or animal feed production, keeping the focus on plant-based and other biomanufactured proteins.

    From policy text

    “Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to support the production of insects for food or animal feed.”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 180 days of enactment

USDA must launch the biomanufacturing and workforce development grant programs

Businesses and organizations could begin applying for grants of at least $10 million each to build protein production facilities, and training programs could begin receiving funding

Within 1 year of enactment

National strategy on protein security must be finalized

A coordinated government-wide plan would set priorities for how the U.S. invests in alternative protein research, manufacturing, and workforce training across multiple agencies

End of fiscal year 2030

Authorized funding expires after five fiscal years (FY 2026–2030)

The $500 million in total authorized spending would need to be reauthorized by Congress to continue beyond 2030, creating a natural sunset for the programs

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 3528Related bill

Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act

Dec 17 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act

Bill NumberHR 6780
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(9)
D: 9

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.