To appropriate funds for the provision of emergency financial assistance to producers and first handlers of fresh tomatoes for losses incurred as a result of the removal of fresh tomatoes and products containing fresh tomatoes from the market and other actions undertaken in response to a public health advisory regarding tomatoes issued by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2008.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 23, 2008

Appropriates funds to the Secretary of Agriculture for payments to growers and first handlers of fresh tomatoes that experienced crop and/or market losses resulting from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Public Health Advisory issued on June 7, 2008.

Limits payments to not more than 75% of the greater of: (1) the value of the unmarketed tomatoes; and (2) the actual loss incurred by the grower or handler.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Mahoney, Tim [D-FL-16] · D–FL

Committees

Agriculture Committee

15 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 3, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.
Jul 23, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jul 23, 2008
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2008
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 · Jul 23, 2008 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: Mar 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.6581 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.6581, 110th Congress: To appropriate funds for the provision of emergency financial assistance to producers and first handlers of fresh tomatoes for losses incurred as a result of the removal of fresh tomatoes and products containing fresh tomatoes from the market and other actions undertaken in response to a public health advisory regarding tomatoes issued by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2008.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/6581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr6581/BILLS-110hr6581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-03-21T14:53:55Z. 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.6581 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.6581 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.6581, 110th Congress: To appropriate funds for the provision of emergency financial assistance to producers and first handlers of fresh tomatoes for losses incurred as a result of the removal of fresh tomatoes and products containing fresh tomatoes from the market and other actions undertaken in response to a public health advisory regarding tomatoes issued by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2008.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/6581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr6581/BILLS-110hr6581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-03-21T14:53:55Z. 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.6581 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.6581 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.6581, 110th Congress: To appropriate funds for the provision of emergency financial assistance to producers and first handlers of fresh tomatoes for losses incurred as a result of the removal of fresh tomatoes and products containing fresh tomatoes from the market and other actions undertaken in response to a public health advisory regarding tomatoes issued by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2008.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/6581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr6581/BILLS-110hr6581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-03-21T14:53:55Z. 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.6581 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.6581 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.6581, 110th Congress: To appropriate funds for the provision of emergency financial assistance to producers and first handlers of fresh tomatoes for losses incurred as a result of the removal of fresh tomatoes and products containing fresh tomatoes from the market and other actions undertaken in response to a public health advisory regarding tomatoes issued by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2008.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/6581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr6581/BILLS-110hr6581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-03-21T14:53:55Z. 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.6581 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.