NCBA

WASHINGTON (March 27, 2020) – Following final passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today sent a letter urging United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to “take immediate action to provide much-needed relief to cattle producers who have been negatively impacted due to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.”
 
“We applaud those House members who rose above party politics to deliver this much-needed relief to American families, especially those in cattle country,” said NCBA President Marty Smith. “It is now incumbent upon Secretary Perdue and his team at USDA to make sure the relief made available by this legislation is speedily delivered to cattlemen and women nationwide. As the largest and oldest national organization representing cattle producers, NCBA stands ready to assist USDA to ensure this happens as quickly and equitably as possible.”
 
The full letter, signed by NCBA and 45 affiliate organizations, can be viewed here. 
 
The CARES Act was passed this afternoon by the U.S. House of Representatives on a voice vote. The Senate passed companion legislation earlier this week and the bill now goes to the White House for President Trump’s signature. Once enacted, the bill will replenish USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing authority at the $30 billion level. Those funds can then be used to offset adverse economic effects related to COVID-19 for cattle producers across the supply chain.