RAISE Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
- Committees
- Agriculture Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 5, 2026
Bottom line
This bill creates a new federal program to provide financial relief to high-value crop farmers experiencing losses from natural disasters, potentially through state-administered block grants.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a new program. This program would provide emergency financial assistance to producers of high-value crops, including citrus, for losses of revenue, quality, or production resulting from various natural disasters such as droughts, hurricanes, floods, freezes, and excessive moisture. The assistance may be delivered through direct payments or block grants to States and territories.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that high-value crop producers, particularly those growing specialty crops like citrus, are highly vulnerable to increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, and existing agricultural support programs may not adequately cover their unique risks and losses. This bill would provide a crucial safety net, stabilize agricultural investment, and ensure the continued viability of these important sectors, preventing significant economic hardship and food supply disruptions.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that this bill creates a new, potentially open-ended federal spending program that could be costly and expand the scope of government intervention in agriculture. They might argue that existing crop insurance programs and disaster relief mechanisms should be sufficient, or that this program could disproportionately benefit certain agricultural sectors over others, potentially distorting market incentives or creating moral hazard by reducing incentives for risk mitigation.
The bill is extremely short and can be read and understood in less than a minute, making it highly accessible for public review.
Section 2, amending Subtitle E of the Agricultural Act of 2014
Emergency Assistance for High Value Crop Losses
This provision authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program that provides financial payments to farmers who grow "high value crops," specifically mentioning citrus, when they suffer losses. These losses can be due to a variety of natural disasters, including droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, freezes, and excessive moisture, and can cover lost revenue, reduced quality, or decreased production. The program allows for these payments to be distributed directly or through block grants to individual states and territories.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is essential to protect a vital segment of the agricultural economy that often faces unique challenges and high capital investment, making them particularly vulnerable to catastrophic natural events. They contend that existing programs may not adequately address the specific needs of high-value crop producers, and this targeted assistance will ensure their resilience and continued contribution to the food supply and rural economies.
Critics contend
Opponents might argue that this provision creates a new entitlement-like program that could lead to significant and unpredictable federal expenditures, especially given the broad definition of "high value crops" and the wide array of covered natural disasters. They may also contend that it could duplicate or undermine existing crop insurance programs, or that it represents an expansion of federal intervention into areas that should be covered by private insurance or state-level initiatives.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need to support vulnerable agricultural sectors against concerns about federal spending, potential market distortions, and the role of government versus private insurance in managing agricultural risk. It also involves a tension between providing broad flexibility to the Secretary and ensuring accountability and targeted relief.