Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Office of Management and Budget, requesting at least $1 billion in additional support for domestic specialty crop producers via the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program.

“From cherries and asparagus to apples, blueberries, and pecans, we know that specialty crop growers of every size, and from every region of the country, have struggled with import pressures, natural disasters, and rising costs,” wrote the lead Democrats on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

They continued, “In the face of economic disaster, it is imperative that funding for the MASC program is increased to support the specialty crop producers that work tirelessly to shore up the nation’s healthy and sustainable food supply.”

Read the full letter here.