Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass an additional amendment to the Farm Bill that will help protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing dangerous cost-sharing or matching requirements.
I will protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from USDA cost-sharing or matching requirements.
Occurrences
Evidence
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
"Most recently, on the House floor, Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass an additional amendment to the Farm Bill that will help protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing dangerous cost-sharing or matching requirements."
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
"No federal cost sharing or matching requirement. Cost share/match should not be included in the submitted application nor subsequent performance or financial reports."
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
"The FY 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) application period is open through June 8, 2026."
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Section 10001 adds: "No cost-sharing or matching requirements.--The Secretary may not impose any cost-sharing or matching requirement on any award or sub-award" made under the Specialty Crop Block Grant section.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The Senate Agriculture Committee listed "S. ____, Agricultural Act of 2026, as an original bill, with amendments" as "Not Agreed to by Roll Call Vote: 10-11."
Assessments
Gray materially advanced the promised protection during his House term: his amendment barring USDA cost-sharing or matching requirements for Specialty Crop Block Grant awards was adopted into the House-passed 2026 farm bill, and USDA's current SCBGP materials still state there is no federal match requirement. But the House-passed farm bill provision has not been shown to be enacted into law, and the Senate farm bill vehicle had not advanced from committee as of the latest evidence. Because the durable federal protection Gray promised has only passed one chamber and remains unenacted, this is partial fulfillment rather than full delivery.
Gray appears to have materially advanced the promised protection by winning House adoption of a Farm Bill amendment barring USDA from imposing cost-sharing or matching requirements on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. That is strong evidence of serious action in office. However, the record provided does not show that this amendment became enacted federal law, and USDA's 2026 program guidance showing no matching requirement does not by itself establish that Gray caused or secured that outcome; it may reflect continuing agency policy rather than a completed statutory protection attributable to him. Because he made a substantial legislative effort and achieved House passage of his amendment, but full, clearly attributable delivery is not established from the evidence, partial credit is most appropriate.