Lubbock Times

Yesterday, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), along with 65 members of Congress, expressed their concerns about the implementation of new changes to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Emergency Relief Program (ERP) payments for losses incurred in 2022. In a letter addressed to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, the lawmakers urged the USDA to return the ERP back to the 2021 guidelines that were aligned with Congressional intent.

Chairman Arrington highlighted the discriminatory nature of the 2022 ERP, stating, "The USDA's 2022 Emergency Relief Program gives higher disaster payments to producers based on the color of their skin and biological sex - rather than targeting farmers with the greatest need. This is just another example of the Biden Administration using identity politics to drive public policy. These discriminatory and divisive practices have no place in America."

Senator Marshall echoed these sentiments, stating, "It seems like every program put forward by this administration comes with arbitrary restrictions that hurt farmers and ranchers in an effort to advance their political agenda. The Emergency Relief Program was once workable and effective but has now fallen into total disrepair."

The lawmakers expressed their concern that the changes to the ERP have created disparities and penalties for farm families who have suffered the deepest losses. The new methodology will also negatively impact farmers' ability to receive financing from lenders and plan for the next crop year.

Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening emphasized the importance of delivering disaster assistance in a timely, equitable, and effective manner. He stated, "Sadly, the 2022 Emergency Relief Program does just the opposite. After waiting for almost a year for assistance, the program simply picks winners and losers based on criteria outside of the farmer's control."

Various agricultural organizations also voiced their support for correcting the disparities created by the USDA in the implementation of the ERP. Jim Sugarek, President of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, commended Chairman Arrington for taking the lead in rectifying the matter and ensuring that producers receive the help that Congress intended.

Kody Bessent, CEO of Plains Cotton Growers Inc., expressed strong support for efforts to rectify the disparities created by the USDA in the implementation of the ERP for the 2022 crop year. He stated, "Cotton farmers across Texas and the U.S. have been vastly impacted by concurrent events in 2022 brought on by mother nature. A correctly implemented program by USDA as Congress intended will greatly help the agriculture industry in such times of financial strain and loss."

The National Cotton Council Chairman Shawn Holladay applauded the lawmakers for urging Secretary Vilsack to go back to the drawing board. He stated, "Last year, natural disasters took an enormous toll on our nation's farmers, many of whom are still struggling to make themselves whole. Yet, instead of meeting their needs, USDA developed an Emergency Relief Program for 2022 that unnecessarily deviates from past practice and will end up penalizing many of the hardest-hit farm families."

The lawmakers are calling on the USDA to reconsider the methodology used to deliver disaster assistance and to adhere to the law and Congressional intent. Earlier this year, they sent a letter urging the USDA to reconsider the implementation of the ERP and utilize the Phase I methodology for the 2022 crop disaster assistance.

Farmers and ranchers have faced numerous challenges in recent years, including catastrophic natural disasters, rising input costs, and labor shortages. It is crucial that they receive the support they need without discriminatory practices or arbitrary restrictions. The lawmakers' letter aims to hold the USDA accountable and ensure that farm families receive the assistance they deserve.

To learn more, click on this link: https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1119