Boyd Commends The House of Representatives on Passage of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 with $5 Billion in Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color
March 9, 2021--For Immediate Release
Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act will provide$5 billion in direct payments to historically-underserved farmers of color to pay off federal loans, expand land access and opportunities for Farmers of Color
WASHINGTON – Today, John W. Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), released the following statement after the U.S. house of Representatives voted to give final passage - as part of the larger bill "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" - to provide Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color.
"Today's WIN for Black and other Farmers of Color is historic in nature. I have been fighting for this kind of relief for Black Farmers for over thirty years. This is long overdue Relief for Black Farmers".
With a vote of 220 to 211 on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2012, the measure now heads to President Biden's desk for his signature. Bringing emergency debt relief to Black, Native American and other Farmers of Color in this country. Generations of discriminatory behavior by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has contributed to significant economic differences between white farmers and farmers of color that directly impact their access to credit. Sec. 1005 and Sec. 1006 of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will help address the ongoing effects of discrimination by reducing the risk of foreclosure and increasing access to credit.
It is important to recognize lawmakers who paved the way, the White House, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senate Agriculture Chair Stabenow, Senate Agriculture Committee Members Senators Booker and Warnock, Speaker Pelosi, House Agriculture Chairman David Scott and other members.
As the Founder and President of the NBFA, I am calling for Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to issue an apology to Black Farmers for his racist, antiblack comment on Fox News.
The NBFA was deeply disappointed by anti-Black farmer amendments offered in the Senate by Senators Toomey, Tillis, Daines, Tuberville, Johnson and Braun to weaken or delete sections of H.R. 1319 designed to provide debt relief to Black farmers and other farmers of color.
The long history of USDA discrimination against Black farmers and other farmers of color is not in dispute. For decades, USDA delayed or denied Black farmers the same loans and payments provided to white farmers.
The NBFA looks forward to working with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to ensure every eligible Black, Native American and other Farmer of Color receives debt relief, technical assistance and those farmers facing foreclosures are resolved.
We as Black farmers are facing extinction. Time is of the essence. We are looking forward to swift enactment by USDA to implement Section 1005 and Section 1006.
For more information on the final language of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Click Here
(Photo Courtesy of National Black Farmers Association)
For interviews, please contact John Boyd at Johnwesleyboydjr@gmail.com or at 804-691-8528.
