President Donald Trump announced an $8 billion aid package for farmers dealing with record-high diesel prices, just two weeks before the midterm elections.
At a campaign rally on Monday in Kansas, Trump announced the Department of Agriculture’s $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program, which will provide one-time payments to farmers to help offset rising fuel and other input costs.
“Tonight, I am also pleased to announce that the Department of Agriculture will be launching a new ‘Harvest Fuel Relief Program,’ providing our Farmers with 8 BILLION DOLLARS in support to offset Diesel costs during this Harvest Season,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“When Republicans win, we will pass even more funding for our Great Farmers, and Fuel prices will come tumbling down as soon as the Iran War is over, which will happen very quickly!” he added.
Trump also recognized Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) as a key advocate of the initiative. The program will be administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.
The administration said that the FSA will use economic modeling to pay out money to farmers proportionally based on the losses they are expected to suffer on their crops.
Record-high diesel prices have been driven by the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, which have constrained the global fuel supply chain and increased costs.
Diesel is essential for powering heavy machinery during harvest season, adding to farmers’ costs.
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In recent weeks, the Trump administration has been taking steps to address diesel prices, including by waiving restrictions on tax-exempt dyed diesel.
The president recently struck a deal with Russia to supply diesel fuel to the international markets in an effort to curb prices, a move that drew bipartisan pushback. Trump also pressed European countries to release emergency stocks of fuel. As of Tuesday, the national average for diesel remains at a record $6.31 per gallon.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
