A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The USDA Loan Modernization Act aims to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. This bill seeks to expand eligibility for direct loans to specific individuals or entity members. It focuses on those who hold at least a 50 percent interest and are or will become bona fide operators of farm real estate. The changes apply to real estate loans, operating loans, and emergency loans.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +5
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill expands the criteria for qualifying for real estate, operating, and emergency loans, benefiting more farm operators.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill specifically eases the requirements for entity members and operators to qualify for farm-related loans.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The expansion of USDA loan eligibility supports the economic stability of rural agricultural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Loan Eligibility for Operators: The bill changes the requirement from "a majority" to "at least a 50 percent" interest, which expands who can qualify for loans (Section 2).
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Support for Operating-Only Entities: An applicant that is or will become only the operator of farm real estate can meet owner-operator requirements if one or more owners own at least 50 percent of the applicant (Section 2, paragraph 2, subparagraph B).
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Support for Embedded Entities: Certain entities owned in whole or in part by other entities may meet direct ownership requirements if at least 75 percent of the total ownership interests are owned by qualified operators (Section 2, paragraph 2, subparagraph C; Section 4, paragraph 2, subparagraph C).
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Inclusion of Qualified Operators: The bill allows "qualified operators," as defined by the Secretary, to meet specific operator requirements for loans (Section 2, paragraph 2, subparagraph A; Section 3, paragraph 2, subparagraph A; Section 4, paragraph 2, subparagraph A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill expands the criteria for qualifying for real estate, operating, and emergency loans, benefiting more farm operators. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill specifically eases the requirements for entity members and operators to qualify for farm-related loans. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The expansion of USDA loan eligibility supports the economic stability of rural agricultural areas. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides better loan accessibility for mid-sized farm operators and entity members. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Expanding loan access can assist lower-income agricultural workers in becoming owners or operators.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill makes it easier for certain farm entities and operators to access direct USDA loans. Is this likely to create jobs? — The expanded loan eligibility for farm operators may support the stability and growth of agricultural businesses.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — By expanding loan eligibility for farmers, the bill supports the economic vitality of rural communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increased access to farm loans can provide more financial security for agricultural operators.
- 5/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
John RoseRepublican · Tennessee
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia