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H.R.3998 / 109th Congress

To provide farm debt and program relief to African-American farmers who suffered discrimination in the administration of Department of Agriculture farm credit programs and other agriculture programs, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 6, 2005

Forgives all indebtedness, in connection with all farm operating loan program debt agreements entered into with the Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, and requires payment of the minimum relief raised in the combined cases Pigford et al. v. Glickman and Brewington et al v. Glickman, with respect to each African-American farmer who: (1) was an "actual farmer" during the period beginning on January 1, 1981, and extending through December 30, 1996; and (2) applied for, but failed to receive, farm credit program debt relief pursuant to specified federal law or through the Black Farmer Settlement as authorized by the previously mentioned cases.

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Who introduced it

Rep. McKinney, Cynthia A. [D-GA-4] · D–GA

Committees

  • Agriculture Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3998 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3998 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3998 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3998 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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