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U.S. House Passes Farm Workforce Modernization Act

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On a 247 to 174 vote, the U.S. House passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bill would pave the way for undocumented farm workers to obtain legal status and allows more flexibility in the H-2A program. The bill now moves on to the U.S. Senate.

Incoming House Ag Committee Leadership in the Works

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Georgia Congressman David Scott will be the first African American to chair the House Agriculture Committee. Scott says his priorities will range from trade to crop insurance and from nutrition programs to broadband. Scott has been in Congress for 18 years and has served on the agriculture committee the entire time.
 
Pennsylvania Congressman Glen Thompson will apparently take over as the new ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee. Thompson succeeds Representative Mike Conaway, who did not seek reelection. The Republican Steering Committee is recommending Thompson, but the final decision will be made by the full Republican caucus. Dairy production is an important part of Thompson’s district.

President Trump Signs $2 Trillion Stimulus Package

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The U.S. House approved a $2 trillion stimulus package on Friday that passed the Senate earlier in the week. Hours later, the package gained President Donald Trump’s signature, as coronavirus continues to spread in the U.S. The legislation stands as the largest emergency aid package in U.S. history, featuring $350 billion in Small Business Administration loans. It also includes $14 billion to replenish Commodity Credit Corporation funds and $9.5 billion in separate USDA funding to help ag producers impacted by COVID-19.