hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Establishes a fund for research and mitigation of a fruit-damaging pest.
Sen. Peters (D-MI), Collins (R-ME), Ossoff (D-GA), Merkley (D-OR).
Introduced in Senate, sent to committee.
This bill creates a special fund within the Department of Agriculture to combat the spotted wing drosophila, an invasive fruit fly causing significant damage to crops like berries and cherries. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators, including Senator Peters who serves on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and is currently awaiting review by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.
Introduced Feb 9, 2026
The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 9, 2026, and immediately sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration. For it to become law, the committee must first approve it, then it would need to pass a vote in the full Senate, then pass in the House of Representatives, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, the federal government would dedicate $6.5 million annually for five years to fund research and actions aimed at reducing the damage caused by the spotted wing drosophila. This could lead to a more stable supply of undamaged fruits like raspberries, blueberries, and peaches in grocery stores, potentially benefiting consumers through consistent availability and helping farmers reduce revenue losses from crop destruction.
Supporters Say
It would protect vital fruit crops from significant damage caused by an invasive pest, helping farmers and ensuring a stable food supply.
Critics Say
Some may question if a new, dedicated fund is the most efficient way to address this issue compared to existing agricultural programs.
Supporters of the bill argue it's essential to protect the U.S. fruit industry from the spotted wing drosophila, an invasive species causing millions in revenue losses for fruit growers. They point to the Department of Agriculture's estimate of a 20% revenue loss across key berry and cherry crops as justification for dedicated funding. Critics might raise concerns about creating specific funds when other federal agricultural research programs could potentially address this problem, or debate the overall level of federal spending on such issues.