WASHINGTON – Below is a statement from House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott following a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the implementation of the loan modification and discrimination financial assistance provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“I want to thank Secretary Vilsack for a productive conversation today about how we can continue to support American farmers and ranchers facing economic distress and provide critical assistance to distressed farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. This issue is of utmost importance to me, and I will continue to follow up with Secretary Vilsack during their roll out of the provisions addressing these issues in the IRA,” said Chairman David Scott.

“In our discussion, I shared with Secretary Vilsack the concerns I have heard from farmers about past-due debt collections and foreclosures on their farms. Secretary Vilsack assured me that there remains a foreclosure moratorium for FSA direct borrowers as long as the COVID-19 public health emergency is in place. He also made clear that USDA is prioritizing keeping farmers on their land in the implementation of the IRA provisions,” Chairman David Scott continued.

“I have also been hearing from people who are anxiously awaiting action by USDA on the IRA provisions. I am encouraged by the plans Secretary Vilsack detailed in our conversation, and I will continue to make sure the House Agriculture Committee remains vigilant in its oversight role as the Department begins the process to carry out these provisions in the coming weeks,” Chairman David Scott added.