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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 3685

Rep. Jackson Introduces JUST Act to Strengthen Civil Rights Protections for Farmers

JUST Act of 2025

10 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • The bill requires USDA to take corrective action against employees found to have discriminated, retaliated, harassed, or otherwise violated civil rights while administering USDA programs. Corrective actions range from letters of reprimand to removal from federal service.

    From policy text

    “The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that appropriate corrective action is taken with respect to any official or employee of the Department of Agriculture who has been found to have engaged in any of the actions, violations, or misconduct referred to in subsection (b)”
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  • A new Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights would be established at USDA, with a dedicated legal team that cannot represent USDA in discrimination cases — ensuring independence when investigating complaints.

    From policy text

    “not represent or defend the Department or any of its agencies with respect to any claims of program or employment discrimination”
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  • The new Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights gains the power to grant equitable relief — such as loans, payments, or other benefits — to farmers who file civil rights complaints, without needing approval from other USDA officials. Only the Secretary can reverse these decisions.
  • An independent Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson would be created to help farmers navigate the complaint process, promote awareness of appeals rights, and submit annual reports to Congress on equitable access to USDA programs.

    From policy text

    “to assist producers and other customers of Department programs in navigating the civil rights review process”
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  • The bill flips the burden of proof in USDA appeals hearings. Instead of farmers having to prove the agency was wrong, USDA would have to prove its adverse decision was valid using substantial evidence.

    From policy text

    “The agency shall bear the burden of proving by substantial evidence that the adverse decision of the agency was valid.”
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AgricultureCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jun 3, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Jun 3, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

120 days after enactment

Office of Legal Advisor for Civil Rights and Civil Rights Ombudsperson office must be established

Within 120 days of enactment, USDA would have new independent offices to investigate civil rights complaints and help farmers navigate the process

Upon enactment

Burden of proof shifts in USDA appeal hearings

Farmers appealing USDA decisions would no longer have to prove the agency was wrong — USDA would have to prove its decision was correct, making it easier for farmers to win appeals

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

JUST Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 3685
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.