Trump Shutdown Hurts Already Embattled Illinois Farmers and Farming Families

Statement

Congresswoman Robin Kelly released this statement concerning the negative impact of the Trump Shutdown on Illinois farmers and farming families, who are already suffering under other bad Trump Administration policies and trade wars:

"This Trump Shutdown adds insult to injury for Illinois farmers and families.

Because of the Trump Shutdown, the USDA is closed. This means that local farmers are unable to obtain farm loans, plan for the upcoming spring planting season or receive crop insurance payments.

Most disastrously, farmers face new and additional uncertainty as they determine what to plant and how much to plant in the upcoming season. Additionally, the inability for farmers to apply for or receive farm loans means many will be unable to purchase or repair equipment in advance of the spring planting season.

Sadly, this Trump Shutdown is only the latest attack on farmers and rural America from the Trump Administration.

When President Trump began his misguided and failed trade war with China, Illinois farmers were hit hard. I'm proud that our state is home to 40,000 soybean growers and 2,000 pork producers. Within two days of the Trump Trade War beginning, these farmers and their families lost $380 million in market value.

The Trump Trade War isn't the only anti-farm policy being pushed by this Administration. The President's most recent budget proposal gutted $265 billion from agriculture and other programs that support farmers and rural communities. The President's budget request sought to cut crop insurance subsidies by one-third over the next decade; totaling a $26 billion negative impact on crop insurance. His budget also eliminated the National Agriculture Research and Utilization Laboratory in Peoria, Commodity Certificates, the Rural Energy for America loan and grant program, the Rural Economic Development Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

Farming is the bedrock of our rural economy. Farming families, like all families, deserve policies born of dignity and respect. Unfortunately, President Trump has time and time again used his office to hurt farmers and the Trump Shutdown is the latest slap in the face to Illinois farmers and farming families.

President Trump needs to end his shutdown now, before it hurts more Illinois farmers and families. I challenge Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to immediately allow a vote on the House-passed bill to reopen USDA because Illinois farmers have already suffered enough."

Source