Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement concerning the House Democrats’ Continuing Resolution (CR) that maintains funding for all of the U.S. government but defunds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ability to carry out critical Farm Bill programs or further COVID-19 economic relief:

“Today, the House Democratic majority produced a CR that funds all facets of government but denies funding to critical Farm Bill programs and USDA efforts to provide ongoing COVID-19 relief to America’s farmers, ranchers, and dairy producers.

"Under the Democrats’ plan, which fails to replenish USDA funds in a timely fashion, commodity, conservation, and trade promotion payments required by the Farm Bill beginning in October cannot be paid. If House Democrats get their way, there will be no Price Loss Coverage, Agriculture Risk Coverage, Marketing Loan Assistance, sugar or dairy program benefits, or livestock disaster program assistance. And House Democrats also tie USDA's hands in providing any further COVID-19 relief.

“Today, I offered an amendment to fully restore USDA funding so farmers, ranchers, dairy producers, and rural America gets the help they need and hope it garners the bipartisan support it deserves.

"Our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and dairy producers and rural America are struggling and in critical need of help but the House Democrats have once again thumbed their noses at America’s heartland.”