Mark Harris

Harris Celebrates House Passage of the Farm Bill to Strengthen North Carolina Agriculture

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, a modern Farm Bill that strengthens American agriculture, supports rural communities, protects taxpayers, and gives North Carolina farmers the tools they need to succeed: “North Carolina farmers feed our families, fuel our economy, and keep rural communities strong,” said Congressman Harris. “This Farm Bill gives them the certainty and tools they need to continue producing the abundant food supply American families depend on. “American agriculture looks very different today than it did when the first Farm Bill was passed nearly a century ago, and the challenges facing our producers have changed with it. Farmers are facing rising costs, rapid changes in technology, foreign competition, and burdensome regulations that make it harder to stay in business. This bill meets those modern challenges by strengthening risk management tools, expanding access to credit, supporting precision agriculture, investing in research and innovation, and improving rural infrastructure. “One of the most important ways we can support our farmers is by protecting them from harmful mandates that drive up costs and create uncertainty. I am especially proud that this Farm Bill protects North Carolina pork producers from California’s disastrous Proposition 12. Families who have raised hogs for generations in our state should not be forced to follow one state’s radical mandates just to sell their products across state lines. By including the Save Our Bacon Act, this bill restores certainty in the marketplace, protects interstate commerce, and stands up for North Carolina farmers. “Beyond the farm gate, this legislation strengthens the rural communities that make American agriculture possible. It strengthens voluntary conservation programs, expands rural broadband, improves water and wastewater infrastructure in rural America, and prioritizes American agriculture on the global stage. These are practical policies that give our farmers and rural communities the tools they need to succeed for the next generation. “Food security is national security, and protecting our food supply also means protecting taxpayers. This Farm Bill strengthens American agriculture while improving SNAP integrity, locking in savings, reducing waste, and making sure hardworking Americans’ tax dollars support the American people — not Washington’s bureaucracy. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I am proud of our work to deliver for our farmers, strengthen rural America, protect taxpayers, and help secure America’s food supply for generations to come.” BACKGROUND: The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 provides certainty to farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities currently operating under the third consecutive extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. With 14 Democrats voting in favor, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 earned the strongest bipartisan support for any House farm bill since 2008. More than 96% of House Republicans backed the bill, marking the highest level of GOP support for a farm bill in modern history. The legislation makes locks in the agriculture-related provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts including: Commonsense reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that save taxpayers almost $200 billion over the next decade: Requires states who fail to reduce their error rates to shoulder a share of the SNAP benefit costs beginning in Fiscal Year 2028. Narrows eligibility for waivers from the work requirement to areas with high unemployment, reasserting Congressional intent. Expands the Work Requirement for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. Restricts SNAP eligibility for illegal aliens. The largest investment in American farmers in at least a generation: Expands farm safety net investments for programs in Title I (Commodities) as well as Title XI (Crop Insurance). Provides additional investment in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and Specialty Crop Block Grants and doubles funding for export promotion programs. Provides $125 million per year for the Agriculture Research Facilities Act and $1.5 billion over the next decade in livestock biosecurity programs. The Farm Bill includes the Save Our Bacon Act to stop California’s Proposition 12 from controlling how North Carolina pork producers operate, protecting farmers from a patchwork of state-by-state regulations that drive up costs and threaten interstate commerce. The Farm Bill strengthens key risk management tools like crop insurance, promotes precision agriculture, supports specialty crop producers, and reinforces voluntary conservation programs that help farmers remain good stewards of their land while keeping their operations productive and viable. The Farm Bill modernizes rural development programs by strengthening critical infrastructure in rural communities, including broadband and water and wastewater systems, while making targeted investments in agricultural processing capacity to reduce supply chain bottlenecks and drive economic growth at the local level. The Farm Bill strengthens Buy American requirements, prioritizes American agriculture in the global marketplace, and adds stronger protections against foreign adversaries purchasing American agricultural land. ###

Harris Applauds Passage of Budget Reconciliation Framework to Fund CBP + ICE

Position: Congressman Harris supports passage of a budget reconciliation framework to fund CBP and ICE, arguing that full funding for these agencies is necessary to secure the border and enforce immigration laws.

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed S. Con. Res. 33, which sets up the reconciliation process to fund U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the remainder of President Trump’s term: “Congressional Democrats have spent more than 70 days holding the Department of Homeland Security hostage in an effort to weaken our nation’s border and security,” said Congressman Harris. “At a time when our nation faces serious threats at home and abroad, blocking full funding for the law enforcement agencies responsible for protecting our homeland threatens the safety of every community in America. “CBP and ICE are on the front lines of keeping dangerous individuals from entering and remaining in our country. House Republicans will not allow Democrats to drag America back to the open-borders policies of the Biden Administration. By passing this budget resolution, we are taking a critical step toward ensuring President Trump has the resources he needs to secure the border, enforce our immigration laws, and keep the American people safe. “This framework puts us on track to meet President Trump’s June deadline and send a final bill to his desk. While Democrats continue standing in the way of securing our border, House Republicans are moving forward to fund the agencies that protect our homeland and defend the safety of American families.” BACKGROUND: S. Con. Res. 33 unlocks the budget reconciliation process, allowing Congress to fund ICE and CBP with a simple majority vote in the Senate. This prevents Senate Democrats from using the 60-vote threshold to block critical funding for border security and immigration enforcement. The resolution instructs the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, the House Homeland Security Committee, and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to submit legislative recommendations that provide flexibility for border security efforts. The resolution allows for up to $70 billion over the 2026-2035 budget window and directs the instructed committees to submit their recommendations by May 15, 2026, keeping Congress on track to send a final reconciliation bill to President Trump’s desk by his June 1st deadline. During consideration of S. Con. Res. 33, 211 House Democrats voted against moving forward with the framework to fund CBP and ICE. ###

ICYMI: Harris Featured in the Washington Examiner

Position: Congressman Harris introduced the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, which would remove race- and gender-based classifications from USDA farm assistance programs and prohibit future programs from granting preferences based on race or gender, arguing that USDA assistance should be based on merit and need rather than demographic classifications.

WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) introduced the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, legislation restoring equal treatment under the law in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The Washington Examiner covered the legislation. Read below: “A new House Republican bill would strip back language from federal law that gives enhanced benefits or priority consideration to certain farmers in Department of Agriculture programs based on race or gender. “Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC), a freshman member of the House Agriculture Committee, is introducing the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act on Monday, the Washington Examiner has exclusively learned. This bill would strike the classification ‘socially disadvantaged’ from federal law surrounding USDA programs after the Trump administration’s Department of Justice found the use of the language unconstitutional. “The USDA and federal law currently defines a ‘socially disadvantaged’ farmer or rancher as one ‘who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudices because of their identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual qualities.’ According to a USDA study, many of these ‘socially disadvantaged’ farmers have their farms concentrated in southern and western states. “President Donald Trump’s DOJ concluded in February that programs that use this ‘socially disadvantaged’ classification are discriminatory, writing a letter to alert House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) of their finding and to flag which federal laws include the language. “‘The Department of Justice will no longer defend the constitutionality of race- or sex-based preferences in those programs,’ Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote to Johnson. ‘The Department of Justice, however, continues to defend other aspects of the programs that employ race- and sex-neutral criteria.’ “Harris’s bill strikes or amends the ‘socially disadvantaged’ language from each provision the DOJ flagged to Johnson in an effort to make sure USDA assistance programs are based on merit and need. “‘Every farmer, rancher, and rural community deserves to be treated equally under the law,’ Harris said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. ‘USDA programs should be based on merit — not arbitrary classifications like race or gender. This legislation restores fairness and ensures federal resources are distributed in a way that is consistent with our Constitution.’ “As introduced, the bill removes the DEI-related classifications from several laws, including the Federal Crop Insurance Act, the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. “The Equal Treatment for Farmers Act also includes a provision that prohibits any future USDA programs from including language that gives preference, priority consideration, or enhanced benefits based on race or gender. “The bill falls in line with the Trump administration’s aims to strip back DEI provisions in federal government systems and programs, an effort re-launched on day one of Trump’s second term in 2025. “Harris’s action is the latest effort by congressional Republicans this session to bring Trump’s executive actions to a legislative level, with several bills introduced to dismantle DEI structures, including in higher education institutions that receive federal funding.” ###

Harris Introduces Bill to Ensure Equal Treatment in USDA Programs

Position: The release advocates for legislation that eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion-based classifications from USDA programs, requiring that federal agricultural assistance be distributed based on merit and objective eligibility criteria rather than race or gender.

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) introduced the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, legislation to restore equal treatment under the law in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The bill ensures assistance is provided based on merit, demonstrated need, and objective eligibility requirements, rather than race or gender. By removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-based preferences from the U.S. Code, the legislation promotes fairness, neutrality, and constitutional consistency while preserving access to the federal resources and support rural Americans rely on. “Every farmer, rancher, and rural community deserves to be treated equally under the law,” said Congressman Harris. “USDA programs should be based on merit — not arbitrary classifications like race or gender. This legislation restores fairness and ensures federal resources are distributed in a way that is consistent with our Constitution.” Specifically, the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act: Eliminates the discriminatory “socially disadvantaged” classification by striking its multiple underlying definitions in the U.S. Code; Removes references to this classification across USDA programs; and Prohibits race- or gender-based discrimination in current and future USDA programs. Cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Lauren Boebert (CO-4), Josh Brecheen (OK-2), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Ben Cline (VA-06), Andrew Clyde (GA-9), Mike Collins (GA-10), Randy Fine (FL-6), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Andy Harris (MD-1), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Mary Miller (IL-15), Barry Moore (AL-01), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Ralph Norman (SC-5), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Chip Roy (TX-21), Keith Self (TX-3), Greg Steube (FL-17), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Tony Wied (WI-08). “The Equal Treatment for Farmers Act is a commonsense piece of legislation that removes race- and gender-based classifications from various USDA programs. By removing this discriminatory language, equal treatment under the law will be restored for American farmers and ranchers. There is no reason for farmers to be judged on DEI qualifiers rather than on merit. I am grateful to Congressman Harris for introducing this necessary legislation!” said Congressman Josh Brecheen (OK-02). “America’s farmers are the best in the world, and Virginia’s Sixth District is fortunate to be home to hundreds of family-owned farms and a long-standing agricultural heritage. I was proud to co-sponsor the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, which will remove woke DEI classifications from the Department of Agriculture that give special preferences based on race and gender. Our farmers deserve better. I will always fight to ensure the ranchers, farmers, and communities are treated equally under federal law,” said Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06). “American farmers and ranchers deserve to be treated equally under the law. The federal government should never favor Americans based on race or gender. This bill puts an end to those practices in USDA programs and ensures that every farmer is judged by the same standards – merit, eligibility, and hard work,” said Congressman Randy Fine (FL-06). “The farmers and ranchers I represent in North Carolina don’t ask for special treatment, they ask for a fair shot. Right now, federal law isn’t giving them one. USDA programs have been handing out benefits based on race and gender, and the Department of Justice has already concluded that is unconstitutional. I agree, and that is exactly why I am proud to cosponsor the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act. Every farmer and rancher in this country deserves to be judged on their work and their need, not their race or their gender, and this bill makes that the law. It removes discriminatory language from the books for good, and ensures that every American is treated equally,” said Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10). “Equal protection under the law is a constitutional requirement, and it must govern every federal program, including USDA. Representing a rural farming district in Maryland, I know that farmers are looking for a fair shot, not special treatment. USDA programs should be grounded in objective measures like financial need, farm size, and income, not race or gender,” said Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01). “Our nation’s farmers work hard every single day from sunrise to sunset to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Programs within the United States Department of Agriculture that assist our farmers should be administered to our farmers based solely on their needs and eligibility—not based on the color of their skin or their gender. I’m proud to join my colleague, Congressman Harris, in cosponsoring this legislation,” said Congressman Troy E. Nehls (TX-22). “Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of this country, plain and simple. For generations, they’ve put food on our tables, ensured nationwide nutrition security, and powered our economy from the ground up. It’s long past time we stood up for them. I’m proud to support this legislation to make sure that every farmer and rural American is treated fairly under the law. Our essential USDA programs must be based on merit, not on arbitrary DEI standards and discriminatory preferences that work against the very workers who keep our nation running,” said Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05). “I am proud to cosponsor the Equal Treatment for Farmers Act, legislation that eliminates divisive DEI initiatives at the USDA and ensures that agricultural assistance is allocated based on merit and actual need — not on race, gender, or identity politics,” said Congressman Keith Self (TX-03). BACKGROUND: On February 9, 2026, U.S. Solicitor General Dr. John Sauer sent a letter to Speaker Johnson stating that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had identified multiple provisions of federal law governing USDA agricultural and conservation programs that provide individuals with enhanced benefits or priority consideration based on their race or gender. These programs, authorized under Titles 7 and 16 of the U.S. Code, apply those preferences to farmers, ranchers, and communities classified by the USDA as “socially disadvantaged.” The DOJ concluded that these race- and gender-based preferences are unconstitutional as they violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and stated that the DOJ would no longer defend these discriminatory provisions in court. The full text of the bill can be found here. Read the Washington Examiner’s exclusive coverage of the bill here. ###

Harris Statement on House Passage of Short-Term FISA Extension

Position: Congressman Harris supports a short-term FISA extension while advocating for reforms that would require warrants for searches of Americans' communications under Section 702, arguing that warrant protections are necessary to prevent warrantless surveillance of U.S. citizens while maintaining national security tools.

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8322, a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) through April 30, 2026: “Following the House’s passage of a short-term extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Congress now has the opportunity to continue working in good faith to enact reforms that protect our national security without sacrificing the constitutional rights of American citizens,” said Congressman Harris. “FISA provides our intelligence agencies with critical tools to monitor foreign adversaries, but it has been stretched beyond its intended purpose and used to conduct warrantless searches of Americans’ data. A warrant requirement for searches of Americans’ communications is essential to protecting the Fourth Amendment. It ensures this authority remains focused on foreign threats, not the surveillance of American citizens.” BACKGROUND: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was enacted by Congress in 2008 to permit the government to conduct surveillance of suspected foreign terrorists outside traditional warrant requirements. However, Section 702 has expanded beyond its original intent and has been used to query the communications of Americans, including political donors, journalists, political commentators, and public officials. In Carpenter v. United States, the Supreme Court held that the federal government must obtain a warrant to access an American’s location data from cell carriers. ###

Victory for Homeschool Families: Rep. Mark Harris’ Bill Passes the House

WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday, Rep. Mark Harris (NC-08) celebrated the passage of his bill, the Homeschool Graduation Recognition Act, which cracks down on colleges that may discriminate against homeschoolers. “A diploma is a diploma, whether it was earned in a classroom or at the kitchen table," said Representative Mark Harris. “Homeschooled graduates deserve equal recognition and equal opportunity when applying for federal financial aid during the college application process. My bill, the Homeschool Graduation Recognition Act, has passed the House, bringing us one step closer to ending discrimination against homeschool students. I urge the Senate to pass this bill and send it to the President’s desk. This is about fairness and equal opportunity for every student pursuing higher education.” The Home School Graduation Recognition Act: Strikes misleading language in existing law that describes homeschoolers as students “who are not high school graduates.” Clarifies that homeschooled students who graduate in accordance with state law are, in fact, high school graduates for purposes of receiving federal student aid. ###

Rep. Mark Harris: “No More Irynas — Trump’s Historic Crime Drop Proves Tough Enforcement Works”

Position: Rep. Harris supports President Trump's enforcement-focused crime and immigration policies, arguing that strict enforcement and defunding sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration law have contributed to declining crime rates.

WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday, Rep. Mark Harris (NC-08) penned an op-ed in Breitbart News championing President Trump’s tough-on-crime policies ahead of his State of the Union address. Some key quotes are below: “[Iryna’s murder] exposed the deadly consequences of soft-on-crime policies in Democrat-run cities, where victims suffer while offenders face minimal accountability. In his first year back in office, President Donald Trump has confronted these failed approaches head-on.” “Cities that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws or protect citizens should lose federal funding—exactly what President Trump is demanding. I stand firmly with him in this fight.” “President Trump has delivered results: homicide rates fell dramatically in 35 large U.S. cities in 2025, likely reaching the lowest level since at least 1900. This marks one of the largest single-year drops on record, with violent crime declining across many major categories.” “The root issue remains clear: when consequences are weak, crime is emboldened. That’s why President Trump is leading the charge to defund sanctuary cities that refuse to protect residents and instead shield those who break our laws. No more taxpayer dollars should reward jurisdictions that put politics above public safety.” “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to Make America Safe Again.” “President Trump is upholding his constitutional duty to faithfully execute the laws and ensure safety for all Americans. Remarkably, it took strong national leadership to address what local Democrat mayors neglected for too long.” ###

Rep. Mark Harris Fights to SAVE America’s Elections

Position: Rep. Harris advocates for the SAVE America Act, which would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and government-issued photo ID for voter registration and voting in federal elections. He argues this measure is necessary to prevent non-citizens from voting and to ensure election integrity.

WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday, Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC-08) took to the House floor to champion the SAVE America Act, a key election integrity measure that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and a government-issued photo ID to register and vote in federal elections. Representative Harris said, “What do airplanes, Costco, alcohol, tobacco, entering a nightclub, and opening a checking account all have in common? You have to show your ID! We require identification for everyday activities. Why on earth would we not require it for something as sacred as determining the future of this republic? … Every American — Republican, Democrat, or Independent — wants to know that their vote counts and is not canceled out by someone who is here illegally. This bill ensures that. … I’m confident my colleagues in the House will do the right thing and vote to secure our elections. So I address my colleagues in the Senate: Save America! Bring this bill to the Senate floor to debate! Own your position in front of the American people. You must use every tool at your disposal - including the filibuster - to ensure this bill makes it to President Trump’s desk. We cannot delay securing our elections and defending our republic.” Watch Congressman Harris’s full debate remarks for the SAVE America Act here. ###

Rep. Mark Harris’ Bill Targeting Child Predators Advances to the Senate

Position: Representative Harris supports the Child Predators Accountability Act of 2025, which expands federal law to treat all sexually exploitative videos depicting minors as child exploitation regardless of the minor's role in the act, with a minimum 15-year prison sentence.

WASHINGTON, DC — On Monday, Representative Mark Harris’ (NC-08) bipartisan bill, the Child Predators Accountability Act of 2025, aimed at protecting children and ensuring severe legal consequences for offenders, passed the House. Representative Harris said, “Protecting innocent children from exploitation must have no loopholes, no excuses, and no exceptions. Today, we took a major step forward by passing my bipartisan bill, the Child Predators Accountability Act, out of the House! This critical legislation closes dangerous legal gaps by ensuring that anyone who produces a sexual video involving a child is held fully accountable—regardless of the child's depicted role or actions. It delivers a clear, uncompromising message: we will not tolerate any form of child sexual exploitation under federal law. This legislation brings us closer to real justice for victims and stronger protections for every child. Now, the Senate must act.” Bill Background: Under existing law, prosecutors sometimes face obstacles when a child is shown in a sexually exploitative video but is not the person engaged in the sexual act itself. The Child Predators Accountability Act of 2025 amends federal law to ensure that videos intentionally depicting a minor in a sexually exploitative context — regardless of their role in the act — are treated as child exploitation under federal law. As a result of this changed definition, intentionally depicting a child in a sexually explicit video is punishable under federal law by a minimum 15-year prison term. Watch Congressman Harris’s full debate remarks for the Child Predators Accountability Act of 2025 here.