DeLauro, Eshoo Respond to Women Farmers Discrimination Decision

Washington, DC— Representatives Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) and Anna G. Eshoo (CA-14) responded to the announcement by Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West of a system to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers alleging discrimination by USDA when seeking farm loans.

Last year, DeLauro and Eshoo introduced legislation, the Equality for Women Farmers Act, to rectify the injustices against women farmers. Since then, the Congresswomen have written multiple letters to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice to bring the Administration's attention to this discrimination.

"While I applaud the Administration's move to address these issues, I am disappointed in the process that U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Justice have established to resolve discrimination claims of women farmers. By offering the same total amount of funds as other discrimination case settlements, but spread out amongst a significantly larger number of farmers, not all women farmers will be adequately reimbursed for the losses they incurred from the years of discriminatory practices by USDA," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "Parity should be maintained, and women and Hispanic farmers should be treated in the same manner as those in the Pigford and Keepseagle cases."

"The injustice and discrimination women and Hispanic farmers suffered by the USDA cost some minority farmers their livelihoods and discouraged future generations from considering this honorable profession. While I'm pleased with the Administration's efforts to address this discrimination, I'm concerned that the proposal offers women and Hispanic farmers less compensation than in comparable settlements for Black and Native American farmers. These groups have suffered similar mistreatment and they deserve similar recompense," said Rep. Eshoo. "I will continue to work with the Administration to ensure that their proposal meets this standard."