Newhouse Urges USDA To Expedite Assistance For Farmers

Regardless of party, lawmakers from both Washington and Oregon continue to push on the USDA to expedite disaster assistance for farmers devastated by not only record heat this summer, but extreme drought as well. Representative Dan Newhouse and the entire Washington delegation, as well as members of the Oregon delegation, sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack earlier this month, asking that $10 billion in assistance established in the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act be distributed as soon as possible.

Newhouse said time is of the essence.

“It’s already getting toward the end of October, bank notes will be coming due, people are already making plans for the next season, the need is now, and we shouldn’t make the federal government one of the obstacles or challenges for people to be able to move forward and make plans for a successful new year.”

Newhouse said at this point, he has yet to hear a response from the USDA. He added the delegation needs to continue to push the Department of Agriculture to ensure action takes place sooner rather than later.

Click Here to read that letter send to Secretary Vilsack earlier this month.

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