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119-hr-2396119th CongressWALLET

Honor Farmer Contracts Act

Sponsored By: Representative Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

In Committee

Summary

Restore and honor pre-existing USDA farm contracts. This bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to unfreeze funding and implement all written agreements and contracts made before enactment. It would require the department to pay past-due amounts owed under those agreements as quickly as possible. It would prevent cancelling a signed agreement with a farmer or an assisting entity unless that party failed to meet the contract terms. It would also bar closing Farm Service Agency county offices, Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices, or Rural Development Local Service Centers without giving Congress a written justification at least 60 days beforehand.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Pay overdue farm contracts, limit cancellations

This bill would require the Department of Agriculture to unfreeze and carry out all written farm agreements signed before it becomes law. The agency would have to pay any past‑due amounts on those pre‑enactment contracts as quickly as possible. It would also bar the agency from canceling a signed farm contract unless the farmer or helper broke the contract terms.

Advance notice before closing USDA farm offices

The Department of Agriculture would have to give Congress written notice and a reason at least 60 days before closing a local office. This would cover Farm Service Agency county offices, Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices, and Rural Development service centers. Communities would get time to prepare and respond.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

NM • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

  • Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

    KS • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/11/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/15/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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