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The U.S. Congress wants to approve a continuing resolution before Friday night to avoid a government shutdown. The government would be funded at current levels through March 14 if passed.
The stopgap measure would also provide relief for Alabama farmers that representation in Washington has been begging for.
The 1,500-page spending package includes $10 billion in economic aid to row crop producers and $21 billion for farmers recovering from natural disasters. The stopgap measure would also extend the Farm Bill through September.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., verbalized her want for farmers’ relief.
“Farmers’ input costs have been skyrocketing. Meanwhile reference prices are based on 12-year-old data. This is devastating those who feed & clothe America. With the Farm Bill 444 days overdue, it’s more critical than ever to get urgent relief for our agricultural community,” said Britt.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., said that farmers deserve to know that their representation has their best interest in mind.
“Our farmers deserve to know Congress has their back. Economic aid must be delivered now. House Republicans remain committed to delivering this aid and helping rural communities across the nation,” said Aderholt.
Although Alabama’s delegation would like to see benefits for farmers who have suffered enough, some cannot bear allowing what else is in the hundreds of pages to pass.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., one of the most vocal supporters of Alabama farmers, said that farmer’s assistance should not be wrapped up within the continuing resolution.
“Though the 1500-page omnibus contains $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers – it is, unfortunately, packed with reckless spending on a liberal Christmas list of priorities that will make inflation worse for ALL Americans,” said Tuberville. “The farm economy, and support for Alabama farmers, should not be held hostage to Democrats’ priorities that have nothing to do with keeping the government running. House and Senate leadership should immediately schedule a separate vote on economic farm assistance.”
Tuberville joined “Mornings with Maria” on FOX Business and discussed the damage to farmers in America and what’s impending.
“We need help for American farmers because the Farm Bill’s been kicked down the road for two years. Maria, we’re going to lose 50,000 farms in the next probably six months—50,000 more and we [already] lost 150,000 in the last three or four years,” said Tuberville.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., said he would be voting no on the current proposed stopgap measure.
“I support aid for our producers, but I won’t vote for legislation that funds $100+ billion in woke, weaponized and wasteful items at the expense of American taxpayers,” said Moore.
