Bynum Introduces Amendments to Protect Americans from the Harmful Republican Farm Bill

This week, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) introduced 13 amendments to the Republicans' Farm Bill. The amendments would protect immigrants, lower the cost of housing, and ensure farmers get their money back from Trump's illegal tariffs.

"There are so many opportunities to help our farmers and our communities in the Farm Bill, and somehow Republicans managed to do the opposite," said Rep. Bynum. "The Republican Farm Bill leaves Oregon's farmers, producers, and families behind by cutting critical funding and programs that help lower costs for Oregonians. That's why I introduced 13 amendments that actually support our agricultural industry and help all Americans, not just get by, but get ahead."

The Farm Bill is the primary piece of legislation that sets federal policies for the U.S. agricultural sector. Republicans are threatening to include massive cuts to key programs funded through the Department of Agriculture (USDA), leaving specialty crop growers behind and reducing conservation funding. This could have damaging impacts on Oregon, which is home to nearly 40,000 farms and ranches.

Rep. Bynum's amendments are as follows:

1. An amendment to protect immigrants that would make it illegal for the federal government to require the disclosure of personal information for immigration enforcement purposes to receive USDA funding;
2. An amendment to limit the use of USDA programs or data for immigration enforcement to protect immigrants;
3. An amendment to prohibit the USDA from using funds to implement any Forest Service reorganization, relocation, office closure, research station closure, workforce reduction, or transfer of functions unless the Secretary certifies to Congress that the action will not increase wildfire risk;
4. An amendment to protect speciality crop growers by authorizing $5 billion in emergency tariff relief from Trump's illegal tariffs;
5. An amendment to protect jobs to keep the USDA Rural Development sufficiently staffed;
6. An amendment to protect staff positions at the USDA Rural Housing Service. This would decrease operational delays and ensure rural communities are getting the support they need;
7. An amendment to minimize environmental and safety risks from fires by establishing a $300 million annual fund for prescribed fire;
8. An amendment to raise the income cap for the Direct Housing Loan Program. This would increase access to affordable homeownership;
9. An amendment to support the production of speciality crops by increasing funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to $100 million;
10. An amendment to provide authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the local match for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program for low-capacity rural communities recovering from wildfires;
11. An amendment to require the Secretary of Agriculture to study the impact that tariff increases from 2025 to 2026 have had on the agricultural sector;
12. An amendment to include the RELIEF Act in the legislative package to ensure business owners are fully repaid from the president's illegal tariffs;
13. An amendment to exempt capital gains taxes up to $5 million dollars for family-owned farmland. This would help ensure that family farmers stay in business and continue to thrive generationally.

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