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Senators push for farmer contracts to be honored

Legislation is being introduced in the U.S. House and Senate to release funding for USDA-signed contracts and agreements.

Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin tells Brownfield the Honor Farmer Contracts Act would restore past-due payments to farmers and reimbursements.

“When you see these actions, some are unlawful, some are unconstitutional, and some are just really poor policy decisions, she says. “But we need to fight back.”

She says the bill would also prevent the closure of USDA offices without at least a 60-day notice.

Baldwin says USDA has thankfully reversed canceling funding for Dairy Business Innovation Initiative projects but, “That’s not happening with some of the rest, which is why we need to act legislatively to force them to make good on contracts that they have entered into.”

The bill is led by Senator Cory Booker of New York and also co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Minnesota’s Tina Smith in the Midwest. U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico is introducing companion legislation in the House.

More than 30 U.S. Senators have also sent a letter to the U.S. Ag Secretary saying the cancelation of $1 billion in local food purchases causes extreme harm to producers and communities in every state. The Senators want the decision to be reversed and more reimbursement details.