Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7938
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-16: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-05T08:07:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act of 2026 (H.R. 7938) directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create a grant program. Its main goal is to provide financial stabilization payments to farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers during natural disasters or other emergencies declared by the Secretary.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Eligible entity: A membership organization or labor union (as approved by the Secretary) that represents farmworkers, meat processing workers, or grocery workers.
- Secretary: The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
- Grant Program: Administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, the program awards grants to eligible entities for stabilization payments to affected workers during disasters.
- Reporting Requirement: Within 4 years of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, detailing program outcomes and impacts.
- Funding: Authorizes $50 million, available until spent.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new grant program specifically for stabilizing essential food supply chain workers during disasters.
- No amendments to prior laws; creates standalone authority under the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: USDA (via Agricultural Marketing Service) gains responsibility for program administration, grant distribution, and reporting, potentially increasing workload and oversight needs.
- Citizens/Workers: Provides targeted financial relief to farmworkers, meat processors, and grocery workers during crises, helping maintain food supply stability.
- No direct international relations impact noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Workers: Farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers (primary beneficiaries via payments).
- Organizations: Labor unions and membership groups representing these workers (eligible for grants).
- Government: USDA Secretary and Agricultural Marketing Service (administrators); congressional agriculture committees (receive reports).
- Taxpayers: Fund the program through authorized appropriations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on congressional authorization of appropriations (funds not automatically allocated; requires separate spending bill). Secretary has broad discretion to define "disasters" and approve entities.
- Constitutional: Standard federal spending power under Article I; no apparent challenges.
- Political: Supports frontline food workers, potentially aiding rural economies and food security, but limited scope ($50 million) may spark debates on funding priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
Cosponsors (15)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-16: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-03-16: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-16 — PDF (2 pages)