Congress has to pass a budget, and if the Republicans who represent most of rural America wanted, they could demand that the farmers who got screwed by the Trump administration be made whole. Of course, that would require standing up for their constituents. Wonder what they'll do? - ThreadSky

paulwaldman.bsky.social • 6 days ago

Congress has to pass a budget, and if the Republicans who represent most of rural America wanted, they could demand that the farmers who got screwed by the Trump administration be made whole.

Of course, that would require standing up for their constituents. Wonder what they'll do?

Reposted from Catherine Rampell

Farmers who signed contracts w USDA under IRA programs paid upfront to build fencing, plant new crops, install renewable energy systems w guarantees that feds would issue grants/loan guarantees to cover at least part of their costs.
Trump has frozen that money

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

Comments

connorstedman.bsky.social•6 days ago

Ag person here, can confirm that the farm world is in absolute chaos right now over the freezing of these and other payments related to conservation, energy, infrastructure, etc.

daughterofwitches.bsky.social•6 days ago

And they worked very hard to be exactly where they are at

chicagomom.bsky.social•6 days ago

He must disburse the money. It’s not his to withhold. Im sorry it’s requiring so much litigation to get him to simply do his job.

noteom.bsky.social•6 days ago

very sincerely fk the farm world

connorstedman.bsky.social•6 days ago

Completely understand this sentiment, it's fair for many reasons. Strategically though I don't think the pro-democracy coalition can. Farmers have outsized cultural and political power, they're being badly hurt by the current administration, and they're ideologically diverse. Real opportunities.

noteom.bsky.social•6 days ago

yeah, if we're actually real talking you prob get what I'm saying and I'm sure you're prob more well versed in the farming community than I am, so I get what you're saying

but also fk the farm community

csherbak.bsky.social•5 days ago

Many (? most?) will fall right back in line once the freezes are over (and apparently some are already stopped and money is flowing.) So I'm not entirely sure rural America is where we can see anything but more of the same GOP nonsense.

shanti2.bsky.social•6 days ago

Just wait until Trump/Musk deports their cheap labor.

connorstedman.bsky.social•6 days ago

Yes, there are at least four different reasons to expect a very bumpy food supply year (deportations & fear thereof, payments freeze, bird flu, increasingly likely climate disasters)

shanti2.bsky.social•6 days ago

And that is why I'm greatly expanding my veggie garden this year.

connorstedman.bsky.social•6 days ago

It's a good idea if you can!

shanti2.bsky.social•6 days ago

Fortunately I can and I like gardening. I've had a small vegetable garden but I'm putting in more raised beds. I justify the cost to myself but imagining how much food will be costing by August.

warrenterra.bsky.social•6 days ago

In his first term Trump screwed American farmers with his aimless, incoherent trade war on China; China had been a big customer, but blocked American food imports and started building new sources overseas.

Trump was happy to give farmers federal $ as a one-time bailout and farmers loved him for it.

warrenterra.bsky.social•6 days ago

So, no, a bailout to farmers would *not* involve "standing up for their constituents". It can totally be done in a way that's consistent with Trump's "Mad King" governance, and that reinforces his authoritarian project.