WASHINGTON – House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) providing key updates on the implementation process of the American Rescue Plan:

“I want to thank Secretary Tom Vilsack and his expert USDA team for their work to implement the absolutely vital agriculture and nutrition provisions in the American Rescue Plan,” said Chairman David Scott. “I am also pleased that the debt relief program for Black farmers and farmers of color that I championed is being provided quickly after the passage of the Rescue Plan, and I look forward to working with Secretary Tom Vilsack on our upcoming legislation, being drafted now, that will increase the market share of the agricultural products that are purchased from our Black farmers and other socially disadvantaged farmers which will give tax credits to those private companies who buy agricultural, food, and commodities products from Black and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.”

Chairman David Scott continued, “And, I also am excited to see President Joe Biden’s administration continuing to quickly implement provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act.  It is very essential that this funding get to our American people quickly to provide this essential and much needed relief.”

“An example of this much needed relief is the provisions that I and my members on the House Agriculture Committee championed, together, in the legislation providing debt relief for Black, Indigenous and People of Color farmers.   Because, a diverse food production industry is essential to make sure that all of our American people have an adequate and secure food supply that is produced by all of our American farmers of all races, regardless of race or color. This is the American way,” said Chairman David Scott.