By Audrey Jackson
Progressive Farmer’s Jake Zajkowski reported that, “the House of Representatives passed a $95 billion budget resolution Wednesday along party lines that would direct up to $12 billion in aid to struggling farmers while providing $73 billion for defense and intelligence spending tied to the ongoing war with Iran.”
“The resolution passed 216-214, with Reps. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio; Thomas Massie, R-Ky.; and Kevin Kiley, I-Calif., voting with all Democrats against it,” Zajkowski reported. “Farm groups and lawmakers have called for additional aid as the war in Iran strains agricultural markets.”
“The budget resolution gives the House Agriculture Committee instructions for spending,” Zajkowski reported. “The committee’s chairman, G.T. Thompson, R-Pa., has repeatedly said the dollars would go toward row crops, specialty crops and sawmills.”
“The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) applauded the progress toward budget reconciliation,” Zajkowski reported.
“‘We applaud members of the House of Representatives for recognizing the economic toll facing farm country and advancing farm aid as part of their reconciliation package,’ AFBF said in a statement,” Zajkowski reported. “’High production costs and weak commodity prices are expected to drive billions in losses across row crops in 2027, with additional losses facing specialty crop, alfalfa and sugar producers.’”
“The National Farmers Union also welcomed the farm aid but warned congressional leaders in a letter on Wednesday that funding the war with $73 billion could further harm farms,” Zajkowski reported.
Source : illinois.edu