---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2209j"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2209j"
heading: "Permanent debarment from participation in Department of Agriculture programs for fraud"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2209j"
units:
  - "Chapter 55 — Department of Agriculture"
---

# §2209j. Permanent debarment from participation in Department of Agriculture programs for fraud

- (a) **In general—** Subject to [subsection (b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) of Agriculture shall permanently debar an individual, organization, corporation, or other entity convicted of a felony for knowingly defrauding the United States in connection with any program administered by the Department of Agriculture from any subsequent participation in Department of Agriculture programs.
- (b) **Exceptions—**
  - (1) **Secretary determination—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may reduce a debarment under [subsection (a)](#a) to a period of not less than 10 years if the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) considers it appropriate.
  - (2) **Food assistance—** A debarment under [subsection (a)](#a) shall not apply with respect to participation in domestic food assistance programs (as defined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2)).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–234, title XIV, § 14211, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1464; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIV, § 14211, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2226.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Enactment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.