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119-hr-6496119th CongressWALLET

Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act

Sponsored By: Representative Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]

Introduced

Summary

Direct payments and crop purchases to offset foreign tariffs on U.S. specialty crop and wine producers. This bill would create a USDA program to pay eligible specialty crop growers and wine producers for losses tied to new foreign tariffs and let USDA buy surplus specialty crops for nutrition programs under defined rules and reporting requirements.

Show full summary
  • Specialty crop growers and wine producers would be eligible for direct payments for defined "covered losses" like higher handling costs, lost export revenue, reduced market access, and canceled contracts. Wine payments can include lost qualifying export revenue tied to U.S.-grown grapes.
  • USDA could buy surplus specialty crops, excluding wine grapes, to distribute through school breakfast, school lunch, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and other nutrition programs. That shifts some excess supply toward families and school meal programs.
  • The Secretary of Agriculture would run the program similarly to the existing Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program, must report annually to Congress through 2030, and may spend no more than 1% of program funds on administration. The bill authorizes appropriations as needed for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Direct payments for specialty growers

If enacted, USDA would set up a direct payment program for specialty crop growers and commercial wine producers. The program would start within 180 days of enactment and be run similarly to the existing specialty crop marketing program. It would pay producers for listed "covered losses," including lost export revenue from new tariffs and higher handling and labor costs. Congress would authorize "such sums as are necessary" for fiscal years 2026–2030. USDA could use up to 1% of funds for administration. USDA would report payments by crop and region starting within 120 days after first use and annually through 2030.

USDA buys surplus crops for food

If enacted, USDA would be allowed to buy surplus specialty crops (but not wine grapes) and send them to nutrition programs. Named programs include the school breakfast program, the National School Lunch Program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). USDA would also be able to add other nutrition programs it chooses. This would create another market for surplus crops and more food for program participants.

Who qualifies and what counts

If enacted, the bill would define who can get payments and what counts as a covered loss. "Covered loss" would include higher costs from perishability, special handling or packaging, faster shipping, higher labor, and lost export revenue or reduced contracts caused by new tariffs. For wine and wine-grape growers, covered loss would also include lost export revenue tied to the share of wine made from U.S. grapes. "Increased tariff burden" would mean tariffs another country introduced on U.S. products on or after January 20, 2025. The bill would also define "specialty crop," "wine," and "wine producer," including alcohol and additive limits and required licenses.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 12/5/2025

  • Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 12/5/2025

  • Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/5/2025

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/11/2025

  • Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 1/14/2026

  • Rep. Gallagher, James [R-CA-1]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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