Mark Harris

President Donald Trump’s DOJ concluded in February that programs that use this “socially disadvantaged” classification are discriminatory, writing a letter to alert House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) of their finding and to flag which federal laws include the language.

“The Department of Justice will no longer defend the constitutionality of race- or sex-based preferences in those programs,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote to Johnson. “The Department of Justice, however, continues to defend other aspects of the programs that employ race- and sex-neutral criteria.”

Harris’s bill strikes or amends the “socially disadvantaged” language from each provision the DOJ flagged to Johnson in an effort to make sure USDA assistance programs are based on merit and need.

“Every farmer, rancher, and rural community deserves to be treated equally under the law,” Harris said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “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.”

As introduced, the bill removes the DEI-related classifications from several laws, including the Federal Crop Insurance Act, the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

The Equal Treatment for Farmers Act also includes a provision that prohibits any future USDA programs from including language that gives preference, priority consideration, or enhanced benefits based on race or gender.

STATE DEPARTMENT REMOVES DEI FROM FOREIGN SERVICE ENTRANCE EXAMS TO ‘REFINE’ SELECTION

The bill falls in line with the Trump administration’s aims to strip back DEI provisions in federal government systems and programs, an effort re-launched on day one of Trump’s second term in 2025.