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Coronavirus relief bill has additional CCC & nutrition dollars

The Vice-Chair of Senate Appropriations Committee says the latest coronavirus relief legislation includes more money for nutrition programs.  Democrat Patrick Leahy from Vermont spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday, saying it’s critical to support the most vulnerable among us with the coronavirus relief bill. “And that’s why I’ve fought to include significant new resources for programs that provide food to those in need, including child nutrition programs, SNAP, and senior meals.”

Leahy says Congress must act now to improve access to food. “This is very sad to have to say, as the public health crisis progresses, the demand for nutrition programs is only going to grow in the coming months.”

Leahy did not mention other specific agricultural assistance in the relief bill, but a staff member for Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson tells Brownfield the Phase three coronavirus relief bill does include an additional 20-billion dollars in Commodity Credit Corporation authority, raising the total to 50-billion dollars available through the USDA.

Leahy says every Senator represents a rural area, and Democrats and Republicans worked to put resources towards rural medical care providers and first responders.