Articles tagged under: Tom Sell

COVID-19 Relief Combines Ag Provisions from Former Bills

Published December 21, 2020

Lawmakers were allowed $26 billion to spend for agriculture in the new COVID bill. Half of those funds were used for nutrition programs and the other $13 billion for agriculture assistance programs. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

The Selection Process for House Ag Committee Leadership

Published November 10, 2020

A leadership change is coming for the House Agriculture Committee in 2021. Seniority plays a role in selecting leadership, but that’s not the only factor considered. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says the process also varies by…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

Advocating for Crop Insurance

Published October 18, 2020

USDA says net farm income will total nearly $103 billion this year, up 23 percent from $84 billion in 2019. Thirty-six percent of that income this year is from the federal government. "It's because of the combined impact of MFP;…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

USDA May Not Spend All CFAP Money

Published August 17, 2020

Only about $7 billion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funding had been spent as of last week. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says even with the remaining 20 percent of funds sent out, the USDA may…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

Congress Preparing Another COVID-19 Relief Package

Published July 7, 2020

Congress is expected to take up another coronavirus assistance package later this month. Over the past two years, approximately $29 billion has gone out to farmers above and beyond the farm bill. "Economic conditions are even worse this year," said…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

Senate to Consider More COVID-19 Aid

Published June 8, 2020

In May, the House approved their version of a phase four economic stimulus package called the HEROES Act. Later this month, the U.S. Senate will be putting together their plan. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says Senate…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

Unknowns Remain on USDA’s COVID-19 Direct Payments

Published April 20, 2020

A large portion of the USDA’s coronavirus aid includes $16 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says more details are needed for the calculations of the direct payments. "What we…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

Additional Farm Aid May Not Be a Third MFP

Published March 26, 2020

Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says the replenished Commodity Credit Corporation funds in the third stimulus package may not be used for another Market Facilitation Program. Instead, Sell says the USDA is working on a new method…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

Budget Proposal a Symbolic Gesture

Published March 12, 2019

President Trump is proposing cuts to USDA’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget. Combest, Sell and Associates partner and lobbyist Tom Sell said this is a symbolic gesture. "Congress has the constitutional authority to set the budget, but with a divided Congress,…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy

Frustration Builds as Partial Shutdown Continues

Published January 17, 2019

Frustration is building as lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement to end the partial shutdown. That's according to Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell. "Many times, a divided Congress will empower those in the middle to get…

Top StoriesLatest NewsPolicy