Debt relief

Minority farmer groups have filed a class action lawsuit against the US government. The reason? They claim the recent repeal of a debt relief program is a breach of contract. 

🤔 That’s a tough matter… but here's the deal:

• The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which offers loans to farmers through its Farm Service Agency (FSA), is set to roll out a debt relief program as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

• The problem is that the agency had previously said it would forgive loan debts held by socially disadvantaged farmers – meaning Black, Native American, Hispanic, and Asian farmers. And so, white farmers have alleged discrimination.

• That was when the IRA included a debt relief provision based instead on economic needs alone – which angered black farmers.

No word on it so far: the Department of Justice has declined to comment on the suit.