The issue of borrowing authority for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) looms in the process of putting a stop-gap spending plan in place. Coalition letter to congressional leaders pushes CCC funding.
The American Farm Bureau Federation and more than 40 other agriculture organizations are asking Congress to ensure USDA has the tools necessary to help farmers in times of crisis. The group sent a letter to House and Senate leaders requesting they immediately provide replenishment for CCC via the continuing resolution. Without immediate replenishment, funding for farm bill programs could run out while farmers struggle against low commodity prices, natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic, the groups said.
The AFBF separately said that USDA does not likely have the resources needed to meet obligations for conservation and commodity program payments along with another round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
Some reports indicate that there are lawmakers pushing back on CCC borrowing authority replenishment, citing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the two Market Facilitation Program (MFP) efforts.