Senators Grassley and Tester Applying for Trump’s Farm Bailout

• Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) supported President Donald Trump’s $12 billion bailout for U.S. farmers to mitigate the damaging effects of the trade war. Now Grassley is applying for those same bailout funds for his own 750-acre Iowa farm, The Washington Post reports.
• Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) is also applying for bailout payments.
• While the bailout program was pitched as aid to struggling farmers, Grassley’s net worth in 2015 was $3.3 million, and Tester’s was $3.9 million that year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Dollars and cents

While the USDA has refused to identify farmers who are applying for and receiving bailout checks, the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) maintains a searchable database of everyone who receives subsidies under the Farm Bill.

Farm Bill subsidies are especially controversial, and many groups from both the left and the right wish to see substantial reform.

According to EWG’s database, Grassley has collected $396,409.47 in subsidies from 1995 to 2017. His son Robin has collected $1,175,170.27 over the same period, and his grandson Patrick took in $26,790.85.

Tester received payments totaling $216,594 from 1995 through 2016.

There’s no rule preventing lawmakers from receiving this type of aid, and the EWG database shows that 33 members of Congress received farm subsidies collectively totaling more than $15 million over the past two decades.

EWG has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain records of current bailout payments.

This spring, Grassley issued a statement saying that the Trump administration had a “responsibility to help” farmers hurt by retaliatory tariffs China set after Trump enacted tariffs against Chinese imports.

What they’re saying

Grassley’s spokesperson said:

“Sen. Grassley participates in farm programs for which he is legally eligible, including this program, like every other farmer. Grassley receives no special treatment and is always transparent about his participation. As a family farmer, Sen. Grassley brings firsthand knowledge and experience on behalf of agriculture and rural America to the policymaking tables in Washington.”

Tester’s spokesperson said:

“Like most Montana farmers, [Tester] is feeling the impacts of the escalating trade war. Jon is frustrated with the lack of certainty in the marketplace and is calling for an end to the tariffs that are hurting producers across America.”

Scott Faber, senior vice president for governmental affairs at the EWG, said:

“Many taxpayers would be shocked to learn members of Congress who are receiving what by any measure is a lot of money are now also receiving a bailout check ostensibly designed to help struggling farmers. It underscores exactly what’s wrong with the bailout program — that many of the recipients of farm bailout funding are doing just fine.”

What do you think?

Should members of Congress be eligible for farm bailout funds? What about for farm subsidies? Why or why not? Tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / rkankaro)