President-elect Joe Biden rolled out a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief plan last week, which he said would boost nutrition help for struggling families and aid to restaurants. The “American Rescue Plan” will be the new president’s first legislative priority after he’s sworn in on Wednesday and the first test of his ability to advance his agenda amid the pandemic. If successful, Biden said the new plan could further boost demand for farm goods to help one in seven Americans, and one in five minorities Americans, who the President-elect says do not have enough to eat.

“So, we’re going to extend emergency nutritional assistance for 43 million children and their families enrolled in the SNAP program through the rest of this year. We’ll help hard-hit restaurants prepare meals for the hungry, prepare food for the families who need it.  We’ll invest $3 billion dollars in making sure mothers and their children have the nutrition they need.”

And when it comes to that help for restaurants.

“This will not only meet our moral obligation we have to one another, but it will also spur economic growth and get restaurants and workers back on the job.”

Biden’s proposal also includes billions more for paycheck protection loans and grants, stimulus checks, aid to states and cities, reopening schools, and vaccines will also help. However, Republicans and some Democrats oppose new checks as well as the overall size of the package.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

More From PNW Ag Network