10.21.20

Hoeven Statement After Targeted COVID-19 Relief Package Blocked in the Senate

As Senate Ag Approps Chair, Hoeven Worked to Include $20 Billion for Farmers and Ranchers in the Legislation

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after Senate Democrats again blocked consideration of a COVID-19 relief package that would provide targeted relief for health care, education and economic needs, including $20 billion for the nation’s farmers and ranchers that Hoeven worked to include as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee. The legislation would support COVID-19 testing and vaccines, and provide up to a $300 federal unemployment boost, $105 billion in assistance for schools, support for the U.S Postal Service, and another round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help small businesses.

“This relief legislation would provide assistance in a targeted way to help address impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes more resources for health care needs including testing, support for our schools and teachers, and vital assistance for small businesses. As chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Committee, I worked to include $20 billion in direct funding to assist our farmers and ranchers who have faced real challenges during this pandemic yet still continued to provide food, fuel and fiber to meet our needs. These are areas with bipartisan support and we are disappointed that it was blocked from consideration.”

-###-