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Republican Senators want update on COVID aid for biofuels producers

A group of U.S. Senators wants to know why the Biden administration has yet to distribute COVID aid to biofuel producers.

Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley and seven Senate colleagues sent a letter to USDA Monday asking for an update on the $700 million dollars allocated in June as part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

“Four months later, there’s still no money available.”

USDA indicated in a June press release the assistance would be implemented within 60 days.

“There’s no excuse, the money ought to be out. It’s allocated by Congress (so) it just ought to be out. There’s no excuse, but if there is (one) I haven’t heard (it).”

Joining Grassley in the letter to USDA were fellow Iowa Republican Joni Ernst, Kansas Republicans Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, Nebraska Republicans Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse, and South Dakota Republican John Thune. 

Grassley made these comments during his weekly call with ag reporters.