Farming on Trial: A Roundtable on the Growing Use of Lawfare Against American Agriculture

This GOP Oversight roundtable held on April 22, 2026, focused on the growing use of "lawfare" against American agriculture, highlighting the challenges farmers and ranchers face from excessive litigation, regulatory overreach, and government actions perceived as hostile to private property rights. Key discussions included specific cases such as the Maud family's criminal prosecution and the King family's civil penalties related to environmental regulations, illustrating the financial and operational burdens on agricultural producers. Witnesses and officials emphasized the need for greater accountability and transparency in federal and state agencies, reforms to the Equal Access to Justice Act to limit nonprofit organizations' ability to fund serial lawsuits, and legislative efforts to protect property rights and reduce regulatory burdens. The roundtable also addressed the impact of environmental NGOs, public-private partnerships, and eminent domain on farming operations, with calls for Congress to act swiftly to support agriculture and prevent further erosion of farmers' rights and economic viability.