Democrats, White House Can’t Agree On Another Stimulus Package

The White House and Hill Democrats remain at odds on the way forward on another pandemic aid package, despite the growing needs in agriculture and other sectors. While both sides of the aisle says more economic aid is needed, talks are on hold, amid big differences on new proposals and as aides to the president advised waiting, maybe another month, to see the impact of trillions already approved. But American Farm Bureau’s Andrew Walmsley said there’s need for more help now, including in livestock, as payment limits possibly come to and end.

“We’re going to need additional resources, just because the costs are so high, and in these sectors, in particular, payment limits don’t make sense, when you look at the investment and costs associated with these segments of the industry.”

And then there’s the need Walmsley noted, to indemnify livestock producers who may have to depopulate millions of animals.

“There’s going to be more resources devoted to this through the supply chain, and back through to producers for losses.  And even once we see these plants reopening, the question of capacity, and we’re not going to be at 100%. There’s going to be slowdowns. There’s going to be changes to how processing goes forward.”

More than a dozen Senate Democrats and Republicans asked Congressional leaders this week for added funding to help producers facing an animal welfare crisis with overcrowding. There’s also a need to improve access to and processing of SBA small business loans and grants.  Congress upped funding and specified Ag’s eligibility for emergency disaster loans in the last aid bill.

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