Congresswoman Pingree Spearheads Efforts to Ensure USDA Discrimination Settlement Funds Benefit Women Farmers

Democratic Women’s Caucus Urges USDA to Ensure Discrimination Settlement Funds Reach Women Farmers

Today, leaders of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) called on Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to ensure that settlement funds for discrimination reach women farmers and those who have faced discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the past. Section 22007 under the Inflation Reduction Act provides $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Reps. Lois Frankel, and Jahana Hayes emphasized that implementing Section 22007 is crucial in addressing the history of discrimination at USDA, including against women and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) farmers.

With the deadline to file claims approaching on October 31, 2023, members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus sent a letter urging the USDA to conduct robust outreach to women farmers and ensure focused efforts to reach all those who have experienced discrimination.

In the letter addressed to Secretary Vilsack, the lawmakers highlighted the numerous barriers that women face in owning property and accessing credit. Despite the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, many women still encounter discrimination at local Farm Service Agency offices, leading to legal action against the USDA.

According to the lawmakers, the U.S. Judgement Fund provided $1.33 billion and USDA provided $160 million to settle claims for female and Hispanic farmers. However, an audit by the Office of the Inspector General revealed that out of nearly 54,000 claims filed for discrimination cases before 2000, only about 3,200 claimants were compensated, and approximately $207 million was expended. The audit also found that nearly 60 percent of claims were dismissed due to paperwork errors, with most claimants never receiving an explanation for the denial of their claims.

Now, women farmers, ranchers, and foresters have the opportunity to apply for just compensation for past discrimination by the USDA. The types of discrimination covered include race, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, age, martial status, disability, and reprisal/retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

While acknowledging that money alone cannot fully address the lifelong impacts of discrimination, the lawmakers stressed that the USDA must not repeat the mistakes of past settlement processes that left tens of thousands without recompense due to technicalities. They urged the USDA to reach out to women who had previously submitted discrimination claims and provide targeted outreach to additional women who have experienced discrimination since 2000. The lawmakers also requested that the USDA share their outreach strategy with them.

For detailed information about application procedures, available assistance, and more, interested individuals can visit www.22007apply.gov. The full letter from the Democratic Women’s Caucus to Secretary Vilsack is available here.

Original Story at pingree.house.gov – 2023-08-11 15:40:14