Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act

# Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act - Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would direct the federal Department of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to farmers and ranchers in Texas counties along or near the southern border to repair damage to their land and farming infrastructure. The payments would support conservation practices—such as land restoration and environmental improvements—that address damage contributing to natural resource problems in the region. **Who it affects:** The primary beneficiaries would be agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers) operating in Texas border counties.

The bill could also indirectly affect local ecosystems and water resources in these regions, as conservation practices often benefit environmental conditions. **Key provision:** The bill specifically uses an existing Agriculture Department program called the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) as the mechanism to distribute these payments. Rather than creating a new program, it directs this established program to prioritize funding for eligible producers in Texas border counties dealing with land damage. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.