Agriculture

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOOZMAN. I thank Senator Hoeven and Senator Roberts for organizing this and getting us down here to talk about a topic that is so, so very important.

I am not going to say anything new. I am going to be saying that we need to include reimbursement to the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation in the upcoming continuing resolution. The CCC is the funding mechanism for the bulk of our Nation's agriculture and conservation programs that are authorized with broad bipartisan support in the farm bill.

In order for these programs to work as intended, the CCC must be reimbursed by Congress on an annual basis. For decades, the CCC has been reimbursed by Congress without fanfare, and I am hopeful this year will be a continuation. Earlier this year, the Senate voted unanimously to allow the USDA to use $14 billion from the CCC to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. This provision was included in the CARES Act.

As our farmers and ranchers face the most challenging year in recent history, we have an obligation to advance this provision so the important farm and conservation program payments are made on time and in full to our farmers and ranchers.

Earlier this week, over 40 agricultural organizations representing farmers and ranchers across the country sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee, urging this provision be included in the continuing resolution.

Preventing a CCC reimbursement would only exacerbate the tremendous hardship and challenges facing our farmers and ranchers. So I am here with so many other members of the Senate Ag Committee and Members who represent rural States to urge the Senate to help farmers and ranchers and prevent the uncertainty that would come from not including this important provision.

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