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Rescue Plan passes Senate, moves to House

The U.S. Senate has passed the American Rescue Plan by one vote which provides $1.9 trillion in COVID-19 relief after debate ran through the weekend.

President Biden says the plan has overwhelming support from Americans and is designed to meet the most urgent needs of the nation.

“This plan will get checks out the door starting this month to the American people who desperately need the help,” he says.

Earmarked for agriculture and rural America is $4 billion for food distribution, infrastructure improvements such as broadband and sewer and water, and other protections for those in the supply chain.

The package will extend unemployment benefits until September, increase SNAP benefits by 15 percent as well as extend other nutritional assistance, and provide direct payments to individuals and those with dependents.

Also included in the package is farm loan assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers including $5 billion in debt relief and assistance for farmers of color and $5 billion in emergency rural development grants for rural health care.

US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the American Rescue Plan is historic because of the debt relief it provides to Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and other famers of color. He says socially disadvantaged farmers have struggled to fully succeed for generations because of systematic discrimination.

John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association, says the bill will help address the ongoing effects of discrimination by reducing the risk of foreclosure and increasing access to credit.

Defeated during debate was Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley’s amendment to provide additional assistance to farmers impacted by derecho.

Chairwoman of the Senate Ag Committee Debbie Stabenow of Michigan argued crop insurance programs in the farm bill were better suited for that disaster relief and Grassley’s amendment took away from those impacted by the pandemic.

“It would take away in this amendment critical funds to repair our food supply chain, support our farmers, our food banks, our frontline workers and families in need,” she says.

Also not included in the plan are provisions to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

The bill heads back to the House for final passage this week.

  • How does my family apply for the farmer relief aide? What are the stipulations for this aide?
    Thank you.

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