Scott on Block of Loan Relief for Black Farmers

Dan Economy, Legislative, Regulation

black
Congressman David Scott (D-GA)

Last week, U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard, based in Jacksonville, Florida, blocked a federal plan to provide loan relief to black and other minority farmers who historically faced discrimination. Siding with a white farmer from North Florida, the Judge issued a preliminary injunction against the plan, which was part of the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Joe Biden in March.

But Congressman David Scott (D-GA), Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, explains why black farmers were targeted for debt-relief.

Scott on Block of Loan Relief for Black Farmers

According to the News Service of Florida, the white farmer in the Hamilton County community of Jennings, Florida filed the lawsuit in May, arguing that the plan violates constitutional equal-protection rights.

Judge Howard, in a 49-page decision, temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from providing the loan relief.