Senate Ag Committee members push for more farm assistance

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Agriculture Appropriations Committee Chairman John Hoeven (R-N.D.) advocated expanded aid for farmers in the upcoming funding bill.

Details: The senators issued a proposal that would provide targeted relief to farmers by building upon the USDA’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program and:

• Expand coverage for the FBA program.

• Provide additional assistance for losses that exceed national averages.

• Expand support for specialty crop producers.

• Give assistance for sugar beet and cane growers.

• Increase farm ownership and operating loan limits.

House Activity: House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Democratic members of the committee last week advocated assistance that would provide $29 billion for producers. Craig’s Farm and Family Relief Act also calls for adding $28 billion for nutrition programs. Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) has also called for additional farm payments beyond the administration’s recently announced $12 billion farm aid package.

ICBA Advocacy: ICBA and farm groups have urged additional farm aid payments as a bridge to keep farmers afloat until higher reference prices authorized in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act can take effect Oct. 1.