DeLauro, Eshoo on Women and Hispanic Farmers

Statement

Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, and Anna Eshoo (CA-14) responded to the announcement made today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on improving the process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers who have suffered from discrimination by the agency in the past.

In the last Congress, DeLauro and Eshoo introduced the Equality for Women Farmers Act to address this issue and bring the USDA's history of discrimination to an end. The legislation would establish a system of compensation for women who have been victims of USDA gender inequity in the past and ensure that those seeking loans and loan management in the future are considered equally.

"I commend the Administration for this constructive step forward and remain committed to ensuring that women and Hispanic farmers that suffered discrimination are not treated differently than other groups. This is an issue of fundamental fairness-- all farmers should have equal access to the help they need, regardless of their gender or ethnicity," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "I look forward to receiving additional, detailed information from the USDA and will continue to work with my colleagues, the Administration, and counsel to reach a solution that is fair for these farmers that often saw their livelihood affected by the agency's discrimination."

"I'm pleased the Administration has continued to work on a process to effectively address the discrimination faced by women and Hispanic Farmers through the USDA," said Rep. Eshoo. "However, I believe that all minority farmers including women, Hispanic, African-American and Native American suffered similar mistreatments and deserve similar compensation. I look forward to reviewing the details of the Administration's plan to ensure it will be fair. Too many minority farmers lost their livelihoods because of discrimination and they cannot be shortchanged again."

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