Durbin, Duckworth Join Booker To Introduce Honor Farmer Contracts Act

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to introduce theHonor Farmer Contracts Act, legislation to release illegally withheld funding for all contracts and agreements previously entered into by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). President Trump’s USDA has refused to make reimbursement payments to fulfill signed contracts, without any indication of when or whether farmers and other rural- or agricultural-related groups and companies will be paid or reimbursed for the money they invested or are owed.   The federal government signed a contractual agreement and many participants have been left waiting for weeks and months without funding. This legislation would require USDA to pay all past due payments as quickly as possible.
“These contracts are a big part of job creation and business development for farmers, rural residents, downstate towns, and even urban agriculture.  But Elon Musk and President Trump have decided these folks, like Trump’s former real estate subcontractors, who also waited for reimbursement for work performed, are just not worth it, and should go away.  Meanwhile, China is pursuing major rural investments to improve the lives of their rural citizens, like rural housing, health care, water, and technology infrastructure,”said Durbin.“TheHonor Farmer Contracts Actwould ensure that USDA does the right thing by ensuring the U.S government keeps its word and pays these individualswhat they are owed.”
“Donald Trump—a failed businessman—is trying to skip out on paying our hardworking farmers what they are rightfully owed, jeopardizing critical contracts and local jobs that support families across Illinois,”Duckworth said.“Trump might say he loves our farmers, but his actions speak louder than words. OurHonor Farmer Contracts Actwould put a stop to this chaos and ensure every penny that is being illegally withheld by this Administration is paid to our farmers as promised.”
TheHonor Farmer Contracts Actwould:
U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) will introduce companion legislation in the House.
In addition to Durbin, Duckworth, and Booker, theHonor Farmer Contractsis cosponsored by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Angus King (I-ME), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
To see the full list of organizations endorsing theHonor Farmer Contracts, clickhere.
To read the full text of the bill, clickhere.
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