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Stabenow says shutdown needs to end

The Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee says she’s concerned about the impact limited USDA operations during the government shutdown is having on farmers.

In a letter to U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow says with a 19-day lapse for funding, it’s the second-longest shutdown in history.

Stabenow says the shutdown will slow implementation of the farm bill and improvements to dairy programs.  She says it also prevents farmers from applying for loans, has stopped the distribution of funds to food banks and has delayed mortgage applications for thousands of homebuyers.

Stabenow is asking Perdue for information on how shutdown strategies are determined and why FSA offices are closed but NRCS is open. 

She’s also asking President Trump to end the shutdown.