Harris Introduces Bill to Ensure Equal Treatment in USDA Programs

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) introduced the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, legislation to restore equal treatment under the law in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.

The bill ensures assistance is provided based on merit, demonstrated need, and objective eligibility requirements, rather than race or gender. By removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-based preferences from the U.S. Code, the legislation promotes fairness, neutrality, and constitutional consistency while preserving access to the federal resources and support rural Americans rely on.

“Every farmer, rancher, and rural community deserves to be treated equally under the law,” said Congressman Harris. “USDA programs should be based on merit — not arbitrary classifications like race or gender. This legislation restores fairness and ensures federal resources are distributed in a way that is consistent with our Constitution.”

Specifically, the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act:

• Eliminates the discriminatory “socially disadvantaged” classification by striking its multiple underlying definitions in the U.S. Code;
• Removes references to this classification across USDA programs; and
• Prohibits race- or gender-based discrimination in current and future USDA programs. 

Cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Lauren Boebert (CO-4), Josh Brecheen (OK-2), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Ben Cline (VA-06), Andrew Clyde (GA-9), Mike Collins (GA-10), Randy Fine (FL-6), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Andy Harris (MD-1), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Mary Miller (IL-15), Barry Moore (AL-01), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Ralph Norman (SC-5), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Chip Roy (TX-21), Keith Self (TX-3), Greg Steube (FL-17), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Tony Wied (WI-08).

“The Equal Treatment for Farmers Act is a commonsense piece of legislation that removes race- and gender-based classifications from various USDA programs. By removing this discriminatory language, equal treatment under the law will be restored for American farmers and ranchers. There is no reason for farmers to be judged on DEI qualifiers rather than on merit. I am grateful to Congressman Harris for introducing this necessary legislation!” said Congressman Josh Brecheen (OK-02). 

“America’s farmers are the best in the world, and Virginia’s Sixth District is fortunate to be home to hundreds of family-owned farms and a long-standing agricultural heritage. I was proud to co-sponsor the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, which will remove woke DEI classifications from the Department of Agriculture that give special preferences based on race and gender. Our farmers deserve better. I will always fight to ensure the ranchers, farmers, and communities are treated equally under federal law,” said Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06). 

“American farmers and ranchers deserve to be treated equally under the law. The federal government should never favor Americans based on race or gender. This bill puts an end to those practices in USDA programs and ensures that every farmer is judged by the same standards – merit, eligibility, and hard work,” said Congressman Randy Fine (FL-06).

“The farmers and ranchers I represent in North Carolina don’t ask for special treatment, they ask for a fair shot. Right now, federal law isn’t giving them one. USDA programs have been handing out benefits based on race and gender, and the Department of Justice has already concluded that is unconstitutional. I agree, and that is exactly why I am proud to cosponsor the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act. Every farmer and rancher in this country deserves to be judged on their work and their need, not their race or their gender, and this bill makes that the law. It removes discriminatory language from the books for good, and ensures that every American is treated equally,” said Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10). 

“Equal protection under the law is a constitutional requirement, and it must govern every federal program, including USDA. Representing a rural farming district in Maryland, I know that farmers are looking for a fair shot, not special treatment. USDA programs should be grounded in objective measures like financial need, farm size, and income, not race or gender,” said Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01). 

“Our nation’s farmers work hard every single day from sunrise to sunset to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Programs within the United States Department of Agriculture that assist our farmers should be administered to our farmers based solely on their needs and eligibility—not based on the color of their skin or their gender. I’m proud to join my colleague, Congressman Harris, in cosponsoring this legislation,” said Congressman Troy E. Nehls (TX-22).

“Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of this country, plain and simple. For generations, they’ve put food on our tables, ensured nationwide nutrition security, and powered our economy from the ground up. It’s long past time we stood up for them. I’m proud to support this legislation to make sure that every farmer and rural American is treated fairly under the law. Our essential USDA programs must be based on merit, not on arbitrary DEI standards and discriminatory preferences that work against the very workers who keep our nation running,” said Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05).

“I am proud to cosponsor the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, legislation that eliminates divisive DEI initiatives at the USDA and ensures that agricultural assistance is allocated based on merit and actual need — not on race, gender, or identity politics,” said Congressman Keith Self (TX-03).

BACKGROUND:

• On February 9, 2026, U.S. Solicitor General Dr. John Sauer sent a letter to Speaker Johnson stating that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had identified multiple provisions of federal law governing USDA agricultural and conservation programs that provide individuals with enhanced benefits or priority consideration based on their race or gender.
• These programs, authorized under Titles 7 and 16 of the U.S. Code, apply those preferences to farmers, ranchers, and communities classified by the USDA as “socially disadvantaged.”
• The DOJ concluded that these race- and gender-based preferences are unconstitutional as they violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and stated that the DOJ would no longer defend these discriminatory provisions in court. 

The full text of the bill can be found here. 

Read the Washington Examiner’s exclusive coverage of the bill here.

###