USDA disaster grant program would funnel aid through farmworker unions

What does this do?

HR 7938 would create a USDA grant program to send money to unions and membership organizations representing farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery store workers. Those organizations would then distribute direct stabilization payments to their members when a natural or major disaster disrupts jobs or income. Four years after the program begins, USDA would be required to report to Congress on its results.

Who does it affect?

The workers directly affected are people who grow and harvest food, work in meatpacking plants, and work in grocery stores. Grants would go to the unions or worker organizations those employees belong to, not to individual workers directly.

Why does it matter?

The food-sector jobs covered by this bill typically cannot be done remotely, making workers more exposed to income disruption during large-scale emergencies like hurricanes or floods. Routing funds through worker organizations rather than directly to individuals would add a distribution step between the federal government and affected workers.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Up to $50M authorized
• Funds go to worker orgs
• Program run by USDA

Where does it stand?