Springfield Standard

Senator Eric Schmitt and several members of the Missouri congressional delegation have raised concerns about the Department of Agriculture's approach to reimbursing crop insurance premiums under the 2022 Emergency Relief Program. In a letter addressed to Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, Senator Schmitt expressed disappointment in the Department's selective reimbursement policy, stating, "Most Americans would think that emergency disaster aid for farmers would help all growers, but it appears that USDA would instead rather advance the Biden Administration’s woke agenda."

The letter, co-signed by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Mark Alford, and Eric Burlison, highlighted the Department's use of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) as a cause for concern. Senator Schmitt emphasized that favoring certain farmers and ranchers based on race and sex undermines the hard work and dedication of all farmers and ranchers, stating, "USDA favoring certain farmers and ranchers in ERP is a slap in the face to the foundational ideals of our nation."

The letter demanded transparency from the Department of Agriculture, seeking information on the allocation of funds for the ERP and the criteria used to prioritize certain farmers over others. Specifically, the letter requested details on the distribution of the $3.7 billion allocated to USDA for ERP, the amount of funding directed towards crop insurance premium reimbursements, and the justification for prioritizing "historically underserved" farmers and ranchers for reimbursements.

Additionally, the letter called for insights into the Department's decision-making process regarding equity promotion and the requirement for agency employees to undergo Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. Senator Schmitt and his colleagues requested a thorough analysis of the USDA's actions and policies related to the ERP to ensure fair treatment of all farmers and ranchers.

The letter comes in response to concerns raised by farmers in Texas, who recently filed a preliminary injunction to challenge the Department's prioritization of certain farmers for reimbursements. Senator Schmitt and the Missouri congressional delegation are committed to advocating for fair and equitable distribution of resources to support farmers and ranchers across the nation.