WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new Republican-backed bill in the House would remove diversity-related language from federal agriculture programs, reflecting a broader push to roll back DEI policies across government.
According to the Washington Examiner, Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) is introducing the “Equal Treatment for Farmers Act,” which would eliminate the “socially disadvantaged” classification used in U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. The designation currently applies to farmers who have faced racial or ethnic discrimination and can provide access to targeted support or priority consideration.
The proposal follows a determination by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice that race- or gender-based preferences in federal programs may be unconstitutional. The bill would amend multiple laws, including the Federal Crop Insurance Act and the Agricultural Marketing Act, to remove such classifications and prohibit similar criteria in future USDA programs.
Harris argued the legislation is intended to ensure fairness, stating that federal assistance should be based on merit and need rather than identity-based categories.
The effort aligns with a wider Republican legislative push to codify executive actions aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives in federal agencies and institutions receiving government funding.
Supporters say the changes promote equal treatment, while critics argue the removal of targeted support could impact historically underserved farming communities.
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