Today, following the release of the Agriculture and Nutrition title of the FY2021 Budget Reconciliation bill, House Agriculture Committee David Scott of Georgia made the following statement:

“I am proud of the work that has gone into putting this critical bill together. In this current time of crisis for the American people, this language sees to it that we can provide assistance to our farmers, rural communities, and the most vulnerable among us.

This bill is a stepping stone to the vision President Biden has set forth to get our Country back on track. Each dollar included in this legislation plays an invaluable role in doing just that.

I am pleased to be a part of this effort to put our Black farmers in a better position after suffering the impacts of this pandemic and the inability to receive equal access to USDA programs over decades.

This funding will also help to continue the vital food assistance through our SNAP Program as families face continuing uncertainty under this pandemic, while allowing the Secretary to assist our rural communities in helping their citizens access food assistance and health care, including access to COVID-19 vaccines, and shoring up our food supply chains.”

Notable provisions in the package include:

• $1 Billion in assistance to and support for community-based organizations and 1890 Land Grant and other minority-serving institutions that work with Black farmers and other farmers of color on land access, financial training, heirs property issues, training the next generation and access to education
• Farm Loan Assistance for Black farmers and other farmers of color
• Extending 15% SNAP benefit increase through September 30, 2021
• $37 million to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to fill a gap that has grown as food for this program has become scarcer during the pandemic
• $500 million in Community Facility Program funds to help rural hospitals and local communities broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines & food assistance
• $3.6 billion for the Secretary of Agriculture to continue to help the food and ag sector supply chains
• $100 million in overtime fee relief to small meat and poultry processors currently grappling with COVID-19-related backlogs
• $800 million for the Food for Peace program, including for purchases of U.S.-grown crops used in international humanitarian aid