House Ag Trade Relief

House Ag Trade Relief

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee are working to keep financial aid to farmers hurt by the trade war flowing.

The funds are at risk as lawmakers work to finish a short-term spending bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown Oct. 1.

Billions of dollars in taxpayer funds are being paid to farmers to offset losses from the trade war, but the Department of Agriculture is nearing a $30 billion borrowing limit, and congressional action is needed to ensure a second round of payments can be completed.

The push to keep the aid coming is by Chairman Collin Peterson (Minn.) and Representatives Jim Costa (Calif.) and Filemón Vela (Texas) .

This summer, Representative Vela spoke while chairing a subcommittee on Farm Policy.

In a statement the Democrats said, "Although we mutually have concerns with President Trump's approach to trade negotiations, we refuse to engage in the same tactics that punish our constituents and harm our communities that rely on agriculture ."

A spokesman said the stopgap will likely include a provision that would allow USDA to continue making the trade relief payments.

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