releases: https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-urges-democratic-leadership-include-tariff-aid-funding-bill
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-urges-democratic-leadership-include-tariff-aid-funding-bill | Rep. Axne Urges Democratic Leadership to Include Tariff Aid in Funding Bill | 2019-09-16 | 2019 | 2019-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) urged House Democratic Leadership to include extensions for the commodity credit corporation in the continuing resolution (CR) in order to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can continue Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments to struggling farmers. The Washington Post reported that House Democrats are attempting to block President Trump's farm bailout program in the CR that the House is expected to vote on later this week. On Friday, Rep. Axne tweeted her opposition to a CR that blocks the farm bailout program, stating, We cannot cut a lifeline to struggling farmers. I will not support a CR that doesn't include tariff aid. We need to fix this. In a letter sent today to Democratic leadership, Rep. Axne wrote, It is critical that Congress does not prevent the USDA from fulfilling its obligation to farmers. Partisan politics and political gamesmanship have no place at the table when generations of family farms are on the line. Background: The Market Facilitation Program (MFP) was created to provide support to farmers struggling due to the on-going trade war. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is using its authority under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act to borrow up to $30 billion from the U.S. Treasury to make these payments. Given that USDA is expected to reach the $30 billion cap this fall, Congressional action is required to continue making these payments on time. Full text of the letter is available below: September 16, 2019 Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer, I am writing to express my opposition to a continuing resolution (CR) that blocks the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from issuing Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments. We cannot cut off this valuable lifeline to our farmers. Farmers in Iowa and across the country are struggling to make ends meet due to President Trump's increasingly dangerous trade war. This trade war has resulted in China halting more than $23 billion in agricultural purchases. Farmers are already suffering from low commodity prices, historic flooding, and now multiple trade wars. This administration has further harmed farmers by undermining the Renewable Fuel Standard through an unprecedented number of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs). Currently, the USDA has only issued a portion of the $14.5 billion in MFP payments that the agency announced was available. Preventing the USDA from finishing these payments will directly hurt America's farmers and agriculture sectors, leading to more uncertainty and possibly bankrupting family farms. It is critical that Congress does not prevent the USDA from fulfilling its obligation to farmers. Partisan politics and political gamesmanship have no place at the table when generations of family farms are on the line. I have spoken to farmers across my district who have told me one missed payment or another bad year will put them out of business. I cannot support this CR agreement if MFP payments would be prevented. I strongly urge you to include language in the upcoming CR to allow the USDA to continue issuing MFP payments. Sincerely, Cindy Axne Member of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |