Articles Tagged with ''Raphael Warnock''

More than a year after courts forced the Agriculture Department to shut down a debt forgiveness program for minority farmers, Congress is set to give USDA wide open authority to aid borrowers of all races while providing additional aid to victims of past discrimination.

USDA is making $67 million available to help landowners struggling with heirs’ property resolve ownership and succession issues.

The $5 billion approved in the American Rescue Plan for disadvantaged farmers, including $4 billion in debt relief, is only the beginning of what should be done for farmers of color, three key U.S. senators said Monday.

With the economic stimulus bill now signed into law, lawmakers are quickly turning their attention to what could be a much heavier lift: climate and infrastructure legislation.

Democrats win Senate approval of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package after modifying some provisions to assuage party moderates but preserving historic debt relief for minority farmers that Republicans tried to strip from the bill.

USDA’s top climate adviser is trying to dispel concerns that the administration’s carbon spending will crowd out private investors. That’s a concern shared by some entities that are building private carbon credit markets.

The Senate Agriculture Committee will have five new members this year, including Democrats who will bring their social justice concerns to the panel.

Lawmakers have their focus on impeachment for now, but Democratic leaders are likely to try to pivot quickly over the next weeks as President-elect Joe Biden takes office. Climate policy as well as immigration and tax reform will be on the agenda for the Senate.

Farm country may ultimately help Republicans keep control of the Senate, as Rep. Roger Marshall defeated challenger Barbara Bollier in Kansas and Joni Ernst held on to her seat in Iowa against Theresa Greenfield. But some races are still undecided.