U.S. Rep. Jody Arrington (R-TX) on August 12 introduced legislation that would ensure that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) farm programs are administered without bias by prohibiting the consideration of race- and sex-based factors when determining benefits for farm loans and other programs.
“Disasters don’t discriminate against farmers based on their race or gender and neither should our government programs,” said Rep. Arrington, who serves as chairman of the House Budget Committee. “Yet, during the Biden Administration, disaster payments were distributed based on these discriminatory factors that had nothing to do with disaster impact. These practices violate our laws and our values, and they have no place in America.”
The No Discrimination in Farm Programs Act, H.R. 4947, which Rep. Arrington introduced along with four Republican cosponsors, would codify the USDA’s July 10 final rule prohibiting the use of race- and sex-based considerations in farm loan programs, indemnity payment programs, agricultural management assistance programs, and more.
A bill summary said the legislation would not end additional considerations for veteran farmers, limited resource farmers based on income, or beginning farmers in farm programs.
Rep. Arrington said he was proud to introduce the bill “… to ensure future administrations never again use race- and sex-based factors when distributing critical farm program funding meant to safeguard Rural America.”
The legislation has garnered support from the Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Corn Producers Association, and the Rolling Plains Cotton Growers.
“We support policies that create a level playing field for all farmers and ranchers when accessing USDA programs,” said Russell Boening, president of the Texas Farm Bureau. “This legislation is an important step toward restoring trust in how federal assistance is delivered.”