To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to use the Agricultural Research Service to conduct research regarding the likelihood and risks of the transfer between animal species of the proteinaceous infectious particles, known as prions, that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 18, 2004

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research through the Agricultural Research Service regarding the likelihood and risks of the inter-animal species transfer of the proteinaceous infectious particles (prions) that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Directs the Service to study the risks associated with feeding livestock by-products to other animals.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Latham, Tom [R-IA-4] · R–IA

Committees

Agriculture Committee

4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Mar 22, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.
Mar 18, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Mar 18, 2004
Introduced in House
Mar 18, 2004
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 18, 2004 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 24, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4001 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4001, 108th Congress: To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to use the Agricultural Research Service to conduct research regarding the likelihood and risks of the transfer between animal species of the proteinaceous infectious particles, known as prions, that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4001

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4001/BILLS-108hr4001ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-24T18:06:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4001 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4001 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4001, 108th Congress: To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to use the Agricultural Research Service to conduct research regarding the likelihood and risks of the transfer between animal species of the proteinaceous infectious particles, known as prions, that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4001

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4001/BILLS-108hr4001ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-24T18:06:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4001 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4001 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4001, 108th Congress: To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to use the Agricultural Research Service to conduct research regarding the likelihood and risks of the transfer between animal species of the proteinaceous infectious particles, known as prions, that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4001

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4001/BILLS-108hr4001ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-24T18:06:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4001 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4001 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4001, 108th Congress: To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to use the Agricultural Research Service to conduct research regarding the likelihood and risks of the transfer between animal species of the proteinaceous infectious particles, known as prions, that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4001

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4001/BILLS-108hr4001ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-24T18:06:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4001 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.