House Approves Additional Farm Aid, More Work Needed

Hoff: The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $12 billion in additional farm aid through a budget reconciliation package. John Newton, vice president of public policy with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the aid is necessary because of a challenging farm economy.

Newton: We've been working for some time with the White House to help them understand the sense of urgency in farm country and where the farm economy is. So, we were pleased that President Trump in his request to Congress included the farm aid. And yesterday, as part of the reconciliation package, we saw the House include $12 billion in farm aid, again, much needed in farm country.

Hoff: Newton says input costs continue to be highly volatile.

Newton: Everyone knows what happened to fertilizer and fuel prices when the Strait of Hormuz closed and input costs are projected to be at another record high in 2027. So, farmers have suffered losses year after year after year; cumulative losses exceed the $12 billion that we saw in the House reconciliation package.

Hoff: He says attention now turns to the Senate.

Newton: We've been in communications with the Senate. They know how important additional farm aid is. I believe Senator Boozman and Senator Hoeven, their goal is to increase that number above the $12 billion that the House passed this week. We also have to work on a farm bill. We have to work on year-round E15, and we have to work on helping farmers deal with catastrophic natural disasters like the wildfires in California, the freeze in Florida.

Hoff: Stay tuned to fb.org for more information. Stephanie Hoff, reporting.