On March 11 President Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The measure includes another round of stimulus payments for Americans and aid directed at families and state and local governments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief package also appropriates $3.6 billion for U.S. Department of Agriculture to support the food and ag sector supply chains, including grants and loans for personal protective equipment and funding for COVID-19 testing in animals.
“America’s farmers, ranchers and producers will reap the benefits of the American Rescue Plan as more resources flow through the economy, as more businesses open up, spurring greater demand for American food and agricultural products,” said Tom Vilsack, USDA Secretary Vilsack.
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The House Agriculture Committee passed the $16.1 billion agriculture and nutrition provisions of the budget reconciliation legislation which moves forward President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package. It passed on a party-line 25-23 vote with Republicans complaining that they had been left out of the process.
The legislation addresses the “long standing and widespread discrimination against socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers” regarding USDA’s farm loan programs by providing debt relief and assistance for Black farmers and other minority farmers. Republicans suggest the debt relief provisions could be unconstitutional and face legal challenges.
A majority of the funding increases support for nutrition programs. It also provides additional funding for protective equipment investments for farm and food workers, assists small meat and poultry processers with overtime inspection costs and expands USDA’s surveillance of COVID-19 and animals.
The bill includes $3.6 billion for USDA continue to help the food and agricultural sector supply chains. This could include providing assistance to processors, non-profits such as food banks, or farmers for equipment or other supplies, and ensure more worker-protection aid in provided as well.