During the Farm Progress Show, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden raised the concept of ‘bridge’ payments to help farmers make it to 2026 when farm safety net programs from the budget reconciliation bill kick in. That idea is picking up steam with congressional leaders. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said farmers can’t continue to lose money on every sale. However, the South Dakota senator wants to wait until after harvest to determine next steps. After meeting with farmers in his home state of Arkansas, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman said he is willing to consider ways to provide relief and encouraged the Trump Administration to consider the best options. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson said something should be done. “I actually think it should come from some of those tariff monies that we collected.”
