Simpson Urges Support for Farmers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Members of Congress send letter to Secretary Perdue urging CARES funding for impacted farmers and ranchers

Washington, D.C. - Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined 66 of his colleagues in sending a letter Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, requesting relief for farmers and ranchers who have lost markets due to COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included $9.5 billion for USDA to assist farmers and ranchers.

“Farmers and ranchers in our country are continuing to encounter hardships during these unprecedented times,” said Simpson. “I have been in close contact with farmers, food processors, and others in Idaho to mitigate these challenges so our nation can continue to have a steady food supply both during this pandemic, and ensuring damages don’t have long term impacts beyond this crisis. The letter sent to Secretary Perdue is an important step towards focusing the intent of Congress when we passed the CARES Act in effort to help food production and many other facets of the economy.”

The text of the letter can be found here.

Congressman Simpson has been in close contact with farmers and ranchers across Idaho to ensure a steady labor force during the upcoming planting season and also food supply issues given the downturn many food service industries face during the COVID-19 pandemic. Simpson has signed letters to federal agencies on both the labor issue and the food supply, specifically cattle and specialty crops like potatoes.

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