Legislation1w ago
42
To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
HR3685119th CongressWALLET
JUST Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
Introduced
Summary
The JUST Act of 2025 would build new leadership and tools to enforce _civil rights accountability_ across USDA. It would create an Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, an independent ombudsperson, clearer corrective actions for employees, and expanded relief for rural borrowers.
Show full summary
- Farmers and rural borrowers would get expanded equitable relief for direct farm ownership, operating, and emergency loans, with the Assistant Secretary able to grant relief without prior departmental approvals and reversals limited to the Secretary.
- USDA employees and managers would face mandatory corrective actions when found to have engaged in discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or delays in program services, including penalties up to removal, suspension without pay, demotion, or reprimand.
- People filing civil rights complaints would gain a dedicated Assistant Secretary, a Legal Advisor for Civil Rights established within 120 days, and an independent Civil Rights Ombudsperson to help navigate reviews, access records within 60 days, and raise equitable access issues. Appeals would require agencies to prove adverse decisions by substantial evidence.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More loan and program relief for farmers
If enacted, the bill would let the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (or a designee) grant equitable relief for civil-rights complaints and for direct farm ownership, operating, or emergency loan issues. The Assistant Secretary's relief decisions would not need prior approval by other USDA officers. Only the Secretary could reverse those relief decisions, and loan relief would be allowed only if the farmer acted in good faith.
Independent Civil Rights Ombudsperson Office
If enacted, the bill would create an independent Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson at USDA within 120 days. The Ombudsperson would help producers and customers navigate civil-rights reviews and appeals and promote awareness of appeal options. The Office would get access to departmental records, which must be provided within 60 days, and would send an annual report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees starting within one year. The section is authorized appropriations as needed for fiscal years 2026–2028.
New senior civil-rights office at USDA
If enacted, the bill would create a new Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights. The President would appoint this person and the Senate would confirm. The Secretary would have to give that Assistant Secretary responsibility for civil-rights compliance across all USDA programs. The Department would also have to set up an Office of Legal Advisor for Civil Rights within 120 days to advise the Assistant Secretary.
Required corrective action for USDA misconduct
If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to take corrective action when a USDA official or employee is found to have engaged in discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or related misconduct. Triggers include internal agency findings, federal proceedings, settlements, OIG audits, or Office of Special Counsel investigations. Corrective actions could include policy changes and discipline like removal, suspension, reduction in grade or pay, or a letter of reprimand.
Easier appeals for people challenging USDA
If enacted, the bill would change the appeals rule so agencies must prove by substantial evidence that their adverse decision was valid in certain National Appeals Division hearings. The change applies to appeals under the specified NAD section. This could help people who challenge adverse USDA program decisions.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
MS • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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