WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) has issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture would make $12 billion available in one-time bridge payments to American farmers to help struggling farm families.
Congressman Smith said, “After four years of being ignored by the Biden administration, I commend President Trump for taking action to help Missouri’s farm families who are hurting. This aid package will provide much-needed relief to row crop producers ahead of next year’s planting season, and be a critical lifeline for farmers who were at a critical juncture for their ability to continue with their livelihood.
“Farmers are still struggling beyond what this package alone can address, however. Low crop prices, export drops, and high input costs continue to weigh heavily on producers in the Missouri Delta—which is why the agriculture investments secured in the Working Families Tax Cuts were so essential.
“The Working Families Tax Cuts provided the largest investment in American Farmers in a generation: $56 billion for Title I farm programs, $6 billion for Title XI crop insurance, and doubling the funding for MAP and FMD to strengthen exports and restore a true agricultural trade surplus. These investments clearly show our farmers are the backbone of rural America and the foundation of our nation’s food supply. As these measures move forward, I will continue fighting to ensure our producers get the resources they need to thrive for generations to come.”