Senators Moran, Bennet Raise Concerns with Emergency Relief Program for Farmers, Ranchers

US Senators Jerry Moran of Kansas and Michael Bennet of Colorado led their colleagues in the Senate and US House of Representatives in raising concerns regarding the 2022 Emergency Relief Program to US Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack.

"The 2022 crop year was challenging for many of America's farmers and ranchers who were saddled with record-high production costs, inflation and met with historic drought conditions in the West and significant flood and freeze events in other regions of the country," the members wrote. "In light of these challenges, we thank you for the swift assistance made to livestock producers with drought or wildfire losses in 2022. However, following the USDA's 2022 ERP rollout for qualified crop losses, we have heard from producers in our states with concerns regarding the new program."

The senators outlined several questions for Secretary Vilsack to increase transparency on how the emergency reimbursements were calculated, administered and what will be done with remaining funds.

"We recognize that ad hoc disaster assistance is costly to US taxpayers and only a band aid to issues exacerbated by extreme weather volatility," the members continued. "It is for this reason that we believe an adequate farm safety net, including conservation investments that address persistent drought, are critical in any upcoming multi-year Farm Bill reauthorization."

Senators Moran and Bennet were joined by Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, James Lankford of Oklahoma and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, and Representatives Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Nathaniel Moran of Texas, Lance Gooden of Texas, Jim Costa of California, Pete Sessions of Texas, Yadira Caraveo of Colorado, Jake Ellzey of Texas, August Pfluger of Texas, Troy Nehls of Texas and Vincente Gonzalez of Texas.

The full letter can found here.

(Information courtesy Senator Moran's Office.)