Farmers Worry About Losing Billions of Dollars of Government Support
Farmers played a big role in helping Donald Trump win the presidency, but now many are worried that their federal funds will get cut. The Trump administration is cutting government programs that helped them, including funding for farming projects and selling crops overseas, instead of to the American people.
What’s Changing?
President Trump has been working to shrink the federal government. One of his new policies is stopping billions of dollars annually that was promised to farmers under the previous administration. Some farmers used this money to invest in things like green energy projects, and international crop sales. Now, they are unsure if they will be paid.
Many farmers also rely on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to buy extra crops and send them to other countries. But the Trump administration is shutting down parts of USAID, and forcing the farmers to focus on selling crops to U.S. citizens.
How Are Farmers Reacting?
Farmers are reaching out to their local lawmakers for help. Some, like a cattle farmer in Missouri, have already spent money on green energy improvements and are now waiting to be reimbursed. Others worry that new tariffs on steel and aluminum could raise the price of farm equipment and force them to buy American products.
How Does This Affect Other Government Programs?
The Trump administration is also changing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created to stop banks from unfairly charging people. Some lawmakers, like Senator Elizabeth Warren, say these changes will hurt regular people while helping billionaires.
What Happens Next?
Most Republicans support Trump’s actions, saying government needs to be smaller. While a minority of Republicans and some Democrats worry that cutting too much could cause problems, especially if farmers start to raise prices. If these changes lead to higher food prices and financial troubles, President Trump has vowed to react and correct the situation.
Comments