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Lawmakers urge Trump, Perdue to help dairy farmers

President Trump and new Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue have been asked by more than 70 lawmakers to help dairy farmers affected by Canadian trade policy.  Sixty-eight House members signed a letter Wednesday asking for “swift action to hold Canada to its trade commitments.”  They believe Canada’s new Class 6 and Class 7 milk pricing categories violate the terms of NAFTA.

A separate letter from five Democratic U.S. Senators Thursday asked the administration to resolve the trade issues, and they want the USDA to purchase surplus dairy products for distribution to needy families.  The senators say this would help make room for more milk at processing plants taking milk from displaced farmers.  They say Section 5 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act gives the USDA authority to assist farmers affected by foreign trade practices.

Members of Congress signing the letter include:

Wisconsin:  Sean Duffy, Ron Kind, Mike Gallagher, Glen Grothman, James Sensenbrenner, Mark Pocan

Missouri:  Billy Long, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer

Minnesota: Collin Peterson, Erik Paulsen, Tim Walz, Richard Nolan, Tom Emmer, Jason Lewis

Michigan: John Moolenaar, Paul Mitchell, Tim Walberg, Fred Upton

Indiana: Jackie Walorski, Larry Buschon, Luke Messer

Ohio: Bob Gibbs, Jim Renacci, Steve Stivers, Patrick Tiberi, Brad Wenstrup

South Dakota: Kristi Noem

Senators signing the letter include: 

Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin

Minnesota: Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken