A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
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 Protecting Our Produce Act amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to create a pilot program. This program requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide annual crop loss payments to producers of specific seasonal and perishable crops. Payments are triggered when the effective price of a crop is lower than its reference price due to imports. The program applies to producers of asparagus, bell peppers, blueberries, cucumbers, or squash. It is designed to last for five years and has an authorized annual budget of $200,000,000.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +7
Would farmers be better off under this?
Provides critical financial support for producers of asparagus, bell peppers, blueberries, cucumbers, and squash.
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Increases economic support for rural agricultural communities.
- Scored +6
Does this invest in rural communities?
Directly supports the financial viability of rural producers of specialty crops.
The opposite· 3 of 8
- Scored -5
Would high-income households be better off under this?
Explicitly excludes producers with an average adjusted gross income of $5 million or more.
- Scored -5
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
Income caps exclude high net worth individuals from eligibility.
- Scored -5
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
Income caps exclude high net worth individuals from eligibility.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Support for Specific Crop Producers: Producers of asparagus, bell pepper, blueberry, cucumber, or squash may receive recovery payments when low prices are caused by imports. This is found in SEC. 501(b)(1).
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Support for Small to Mid-Sized Farmers: The program limits eligibility to those with an average adjusted gross income of less than $5,000,000, ensuring funds go to those under a certain income threshold. This is found in SEC. 501(c)(2)(A).
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Targeted Aid for Professional Farmers: By requiring that at least 75 percent of a producer's adjusted gross income comes from farming, ranching, or forestry, the benefit is reserved for those whose primary livelihood is agricultural. This is found in SEC. 501(c)(2)(B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Crop Eligibility: Only producers of asparagus, bell pepper, blueberry, cucumber, or squash are eligible for the program, meaning producers of other seasonal or perishable crops receive no benefit. This is found in SEC. 501(a)(3).
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Strict Income and Source Requirements: Producers who earn $5,000,000 or more, or those who derive less than 75 percent of their income from farming, ranching, or forestry, are ineligible for payments. This is found in SEC. 501(c)(2).
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Temporary Nature of Support: The pilot program is set to terminate five years after the date the Act is enacted, meaning the financial support is not permanent. This is found in SEC. 501(f).
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? — Provides critical financial support for producers of asparagus, bell peppers, blueberries, cucumbers, and squash. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Increases economic support for rural agricultural communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Directly benefits owners of farms producing the specified seasonal crops. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides a financial buffer for smaller-scale farmers. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Benefits working-age farmers who are the primary producers of these crops. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Supports mid-sized family farms through crop loss payments. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Benefits older farmers who maintain these specialty crop operations. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Income caps exclude high net worth individuals from eligibility. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Explicitly excludes producers with an average adjusted gross income of $5 million or more. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Income caps exclude high net worth individuals from eligibility. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Income caps exclude high net worth individuals from eligibility.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Directly supports the financial viability of rural producers of specialty crops.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provides direct financial recovery payments to small and mid-sized specialty crop farmers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Provides financial stability to specific agricultural producers facing import-driven price drops. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill increases government spending by establishing a new pilot program. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes $200 million in annual spending for the pilot program. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Adds new spending commitments to the federal budget.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Creates payments to offset losses caused by imports, which may be viewed as a protectionist measure.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides a financial safety net for eligible farmers facing significant crop loss.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the Secretary of Agriculture authority to manage a new federal payment program.
- 4/3/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 3/3/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House