Ag details emerge in bipartisan relief proposal

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Ag details emerge in bipartisan relief proposal

Some details have been released in the bipartisan COVID-19 relief proposal that includes $26-billion dollars for agriculture and nutrition.

The bill calls for $13-billion to provide funding to farmers, ranchers, growers and rural communities impacted by the pandemic. It includes $600-million for fishery disaster relief – including funds for tribal and Great Lakes fisheries. The summary says there will be USDA Rural Development funds for water and wastewater programs but does not specify the amount.

The plan calls for a temporary boost to individual SNAP recipients for four months and funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program for food banks. It also boosts benefits of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

The bill calls for a total of $908 Billion dollars for coronavirus relief and includes provisions for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration for the hardest hit small businesses.

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia calls it an emergency bill to “bridge the gap” until a broader relief bill can be achieved next year.

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