Today, a motion filed by Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas to suspend the rules to permit the introduction of a new bill was debated by the Legislature. The proposed bill for introduction would have required meat and poultry processing facilities to implement key COVID-19 protections for essential Nebraskans working in those plants. Despite months of pleas from workers, their families, and their communities for the Legislature to act, Senator Vargas’ motion failed by only two votes.
Nebraska Appleseed’s Immigrants & Communities Program Director, Darcy Tromanhauser, issued the following statement:
“Thank you to Senator Tony Vargas and the 27 Nebraska state senators who supported the opportunity to consider legislation that would provide greater protection to the more than 20,000 essential Nebraskans who work in meat and poultry processing facilities. The health and safety of workers and family members across our state continues to be in jeopardy due to a lack of COVID-19 protections in meat and poultry plants.
It is stunning that there were not enough Senators willing to vote for an opportunity to hear about what is happening to Nebraskans working in this industry, 80% of whom are immigrants, refugees, and people of color. Nearly 5,000 meatpacking workers have tested positive since the pandemic began. As of Tuesday, at least 21 workers have died and hundreds have been hospitalized. Yet those numbers were not compelling enough to take action. We will continue to fight alongside people working in meat and poultry processing until adequate protections are in place.”
Upcoming webinars from UNL Ag Econ Dept - Farm & Ranch Management Team
AUGUST 6 - Drought: Financial Implications of Possible Decisions
Drought is a periodic feature of the Great Plains impacting range and crop production. Drought can have severe financial impacts on ranches which try to adapt to the problem. Research and financial modeling, as well as tools projecting financial outcomes can help with the decisions that ranchers make while adjusting to drought.
AUGUST 13 - Marketing Corn and Soybeans After the August WASDE Report
The monthly USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) Report summarizes current USDA information for several major commodities into a supply and demand balance sheet. August marks the first report of the year to show crop production data collected from farm operations and field observations. We will take an in-depth look and discuss strategies for grain marketing for the remainder of 2020.
NOTE: The Ag Policy Update webinar with Sen. Deb Fischer, scheduled for Aug. 3, has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts amid continuing legislative work in the Senate at this time. We hope to reschedule Sen. Fisher for the fall.
Register for upcoming webinars and watch past sessions at farm.unl.edu/webinars.
QUARTERLY AG LAND MANAGEMENT WEBINAR TO FOCUS ON CASH RENTAL RATES, VERBAL LEASES, COMMUNICATION
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics will continue its live webinar series, “Land Management Quarterly,” on Aug. 17 at noon.
Offered since 2019, the quarterly webinars address common management problems for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on trends in real estate, managing agricultural land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming growing season.
The August webinar will cover recent findings from the 2020 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report on cash rental rates, land values and accounting for disaster in lease arrangements. The presentation will also include a special segment on terminating verbal lease arrangements, communicating crop progress on leased land and considerations for fall harvest. The session will conclude with an “Ask the Experts” session, offering participants the chance to get live answers to their land or lease questions.
The webinars are led by Jim Jansen and Allan Vyhnalek, who are both in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Jansen focuses on agricultural finance and land economics and directs the annual Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report. Vyhnalek is a farm succession and farmland management extension educator.
“Uncertainty in crop and livestock prices remains high in 2020 due to pandemic events surrounding COVID-19,” Jansen said. “This webinar will place a special emphasis on equitable terms for rented ground by communicating price and production challenges, critical verbal lease deadlines, and considerations for the approaching fall.”
Participants are encouraged to sign up to receive reminders each quarter and submit questions at agecon.unl.edu/landmanagement. Anyone can join the webinar from this page when it goes live at noon on Aug. 17.
Each webinar is free and will be recorded. Those can be viewed the day after each session, along with recordings from the entire series.
2020 Land Management Quarterly webinar dates are:
Aug. 17, noon
Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.
NEBRASKA AMONG WORLD’S BEST UNIVERSITIES FOR AG, FORESTRY
For the fourth-consecutive year, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has ranked among the top 50 universities in the world for agriculture and forestry.
The 2020 QS World University Rankings, released in June, ranked Nebraska 46th among universities worldwide and 18th among institutions in the United States. The rankings consider academic peer review, student-faculty ratio and reputation of the employers of graduates, among other factors.
“We are designing the future of agriculture here at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln,” said Mike Boehm, vice chancellor for the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Our researchers are uncovering new ways to feed a rapidly growing world, and furthermore, they’re doing so in an environmentally sustainable way that provides a good quality of life for producers. We’re making great strides toward food security, sustainability and other complex agricultural issues, and our appearance on this prestigious list is a reflection of those strides.”
In the past year, Nebraska researchers have made progress toward development of crops that are tolerant of heat, extreme cold and drought. They are in the midst of research to aid in the development of hybrid wheat varieties, as well as in the development of vaccines and other protections against two devastating swine diseases. The interdisciplinary Nebraska Integrated Beef Systems Initiative is bringing together beef geneticists, ruminant nutritionists, biological systems engineers, grassland ecologists and others to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the cattle industry.
“The innovation of our research faculty is nothing short of astonishing,” Boehm said.
That spirit of innovation extends beyond Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources researchers. Nebraska Extension professionals, who have long worked with Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers to address issues with crops and livestock, have increasingly incorporated research into their work with producers. The popular On-Farm Research Network allows farmers to conduct research on their own land. Producers who participate in the network are able to access cutting-edge technology and emerging practices with help from university professionals, while researchers and extension educators are able to observe how new technologies and practices work on real working farms. The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources encourages students to tackle challenges related to agriculture and natural resources. The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, for example, helps students build businesses while they’re still in college. The college’s Change-Maker Scholarship Competition, launched this past spring, offers one-year full-tuition scholarships to students who propose a plan to address worldwide challenges related to food security, sustainability and water use. Eight incoming CASNR students and two returning students won scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year.
“We want innovators, change-makers and future leaders to get their start right here in Nebraska,” said Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of agricultural sciences and natural resources.
The university has also forged strong partnerships with several other leading agricultural institutions on the list, including Wageningen University and Research, Northwest A&F University, Huazhong Agricultural University and the University of Sao Paulo, which in 2020 ranked 1, 4, 6 and 23, respectively.
The QS World University Rankings, released annually, are prepared by Quacquarelli Symonds, a leading global higher education company.
DOJ Files Amicus Brief in Dairy Farmers of America Lawsuit
Ben Gotschall, Organization for Competative Markets (OCM)
On July 27th, 2020, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit against Dairy Farmers of America, the United States’ largest dairy cooperative. The lawsuit, filed in Vermont U.S. District Court, alleges that DFA and other cooperatives agreed not to compete for each other’s farmer-members, conspired to share payment information in order to discourage competition and depress prices, and maintained those low prices market-wide by entering into supply agreements with Dean Foods and other dairy processors.
In its Statement of Interest for the brief, the DOJ makes three main arguments:
- The allegations against DFA in the case are not sheilded by the Capper-Volstead Act from antitrust laws. In other words, DFA cannot hide behind its technical status as a cooperative. If there is evidence that DFA conspired with nonexempt parties, (non-cooperatives) to act “anti-competitively against other farmers,” then “claims at issue in this case fall outside the heartland of Capper Volstead protection.” The DOJ states, “To the extent . . . that DFA, even when acting as a milk marketing cooperative, made agreements with non-cooperatives that would violate section 1 of the Sherman Act,” that “DFA had monopsony power and used it,” and that “it would be inconsistent with the (Capper-Volstead) Act to allow a monopsony to use (Capper-Volstead) as a shield.”
- The Capper-Volstead Act does not insulate exclusionary acts from the antitrust laws prohibiting monopsonization. Basically, this section argues that the definition of “predatory practices” should be applied broadly as violations of section 2 of the Sherman Act, and are “therefore outside the protection of the Capper Volstead Act.”
- The Defendants (DFA) bear the burden of proof that they are protected by the Capper-Volstead Act. Since it is DFA’s claim that they are protected as a cooperative by Capper-Volstead, they must show proof of such claims. This argument is extremely significant, because it shifts the burden of proof away from the farmers. OCM has long argued that requiring farmers to show proof of harm is an unreasonable burden, and this argument from DOJ follows a similar line of reasoning.
The Statement of Intent provided by DOJ is perhaps one of the most relevant interpretations of the Capper-Volstead Act’s intent and purpose that OCM has seen. The DOJ arguments clearly demonstrate that farmer and producer protection was one of the main reasons for passage of the Clayton and Sherman Acts.
Restoring the intent of the Clayton Act and implementing producer protection standards in antitrust enforcement were the exact arguments OCM made in our comments to the DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission on their proposed guidelines for vertical mergers in February. OCM’s argument in favor of shifting the burden of proof of competitive harm away from producers was a central point in our comments to the USDA’s proposed rules on the Packers and Stockyards Act in March.
The DOJ doesn’t cite OCM in its Statement of Intent, and we do not presume to take credit for influencing those arguments, but we are pleased to see a government agency with antitrust enforcement authority taking a stand for the rights of farmers and ranchers. The Sherman and Clayton Acts have been on the books for over a hundred years, and the DFA suit is an important opportunity for them to be interpreted correctly, as they were intended: to curb corporate abuses and end anti-competitive behaviors, even if they are committed by cooperatives such as DFA.
IFBF Ag-Mazing Challenge provides Iowa State Fair fun from home
Fairgoers recognize Farm Bureau Park at the Iowa State Fair as an interactive and engaging spot for families with games, giveaways and an annual celebration of Iowa agriculture, and although we can’t gather this year at Farm Bureau Park, missing out on the State Fair doesn’t have to mean missing out on all the fun. Iowa Farm Bureau has launched the Ag-Mazing Challenge scavenger hunt game to learn about the many ways agriculture touches our daily lives, with giveaways totaling over $10,000 in prizes.
The Ag-Mazing Challenge is a fun, interactive game that’s easy to play. Participants complete various missions released each week of the contest to score points while exploring and learning more about agriculture. Those earning 10,000 points will be entered in a drawing to win one of twenty $500 Visa gift cards. Plus, the first 250 players to reach 10,000 points will win an exclusive 2020 “Missing Corndog” t-shirt.
“We’re all missing the fair this year and wanted to find a way to help Iowans still celebrate the spirit of the State Fair and its agricultural backdrop. The Ag-Mazing Challenge is a great way for Iowans to compete with each other and have some fun with Iowa State Fair themes while learning about agriculture’s role in our daily lives,” said Evelyn George, Iowa Farm Bureau marketing coordinator.
To get started, download the GooseChase app to your phone or tablet. Open the app and search for the “Ag-Mazing Challenge" game. Create your own player profile and start earning points and working toward prizes.
While playing, participants can see how they’re doing compared to the other competitors by following the ‘Ranking’ button in the app. You can view your completed missions as well as some of the entries by other participants through the contest completion date of Aug. 23, 2020.
Celebrating the members who comprise the Iowa Farm Bureau is a proud tradition at the Iowa State Fair and that will continue this year. As a ‘thank you,’ Farm Bureau members are eligible for an exclusive drawing for a chance to win a Yeti cooler and a $200 meat package. One prize package will be awarded to a winner in each of Iowa Farm Bureau’s 17 regions, with one entry permitted per membership. Members will be notified and announced on our website by Sept. 1, 2020. To register for the member prize drawing, click here... https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/News/Iowa-State-Fair/Farm-Bureau-Park-Special-Events.
Commercially Available Cell Line Rapidly Detects ASF
Scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have identified a new way to detect the presence of live African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) that minimizes the need for samples from live animals and provides easier access to veterinary labs that need to diagnose the virus.
"We have identified a cell-line that can be used to isolate and detect the presence of the live virus," said ARS Scientist Dr. Douglas Gladue. "This is a critical breakthrough and a tremendous step for African Swine Fever Virus diagnostics."
There are currently no available vaccines to prevent ASFV, and outbreak control has often relied on quarantining and removing infected or exposed animals. Until now, effectively detecting live ASFV required collecting blood cells from a live donor swine for every diagnostic test, because the cells could only be used once. The new cell line can be continuously replicated and frozen to create cells for future use, reducing the number of live donor animals needed.
The new cell line is also commercially available to veterinary diagnostic labs that traditionally did not have access to swine blood cells needed to test for live ASFV.
Recent outbreaks of ASFV outside the African continent started after a single introduction of ASFV in the Republic of Georgia in 2007. The disease has recently spread to China and south east Asian countries. The current "Georgia" outbreak strain is highly contagious and lethal in domestic pigs. Even though the virus is not currently present in the United States, the U.S. swine industry could suffer substantial economic losses should an outbreak occur.
This research, which is highlighted in this month's issue of Viruses, was funded through an interagency agreement with the Science and Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A provisional patent application for this research was filed in April 2020 and the technology is now available for license. ARS scientists at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, N.Y. will continue to perform research and work towards finding tools to control the spread of ASFV in the nation.
The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.
Weekly Ethanol Production for 7/24/2020
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 24, ethanol production increased by 5.5%, or 49,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 958,000 b/d—equivalent to 40.24 million gallons daily. Production remained 7.1% below the same week in 2019 as a result of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The four-week average ethanol production rate ticked up 1.6% to 928,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.23 billion gallons.
Ethanol stocks rose by 2.4% to 20.3 million barrels, which was 17.2% below year-ago volumes. Inventories increased in all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, grew 3.0% to 8.81 million b/d (135.04 bg annualized). Gasoline demand remained 7.8% lower than a year ago.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol moved 1.7% higher to 853,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.08 bg annualized, which was 11.1% below the year-earlier level.
The U.S. imported 27,000 b/d of ethanol, or 7.94 million gallons for the week, following two weeks when no imports were reported. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of May 2020.)
Soy Checkoff Farmer-Leaders Set Strong Course for the Future of U.S. Soy
This week, the United Soybean Board’s (USB) 78 farmer-leaders approved new projects to increase innovation, resilience and profitability for U.S. soybean farmers in 2021 and beyond. USB Chair Jim Carroll III and USB CEO Polly Ruhland discussed the impact of these investments to U.S. soybean farmers in a newly released video report from the meeting.
USB Board Meeting
The board considered several hundred proposals focused on increasing the value of U.S. soybeans and paving the way for new demand. These projects range from promoting the sustainability of U.S. Soy as a market differentiator to reputation management strategies to enhance end-user perceptions of soy products, in addition to research that strengthens the resilience of soybean production, improves protein meal quality and develops new industrial uses for soybean oil, among a multitude of other topics. The proposals all share a common goal — maximizing profit opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers.
“The decisions made by farmers today will have a significant impact on the U.S. Soy industry for the next year and even the decade ahead,” said Jim Carroll III, USB Chair and soybean farmer from Arkansas. “Our farmer-leaders who participated represent more than 500,000 U.S. soybean farmers across the country, and I’m proud to say we have done our job to make sure their investments — and our own as farmers ourselves — were put to the best use possible for the greatest return.”
The USB farmer-leaders approved 176 checkoff-funded projects for the 2021 fiscal year during the virtual meeting held July 29, 2020.
Among the selected investments, included below are a few examples of the innovative projects prioritized by USB’s farmer-leaders, across the target area and action team verticals.
• Sustainability Supply: This includes a focus on identifying biotic factors (living components of an ecosystem) and abiotic factors (non-living, chemical and physical components of an ecosystem) to improve soybean production. For example, one abiotic issue that USB investments will address is drought resiliency on the farm and its impact on yield limitations. The project focuses on developing drought tolerant soybeans, testing these new varieties, developing a drought tolerant germplasm and identifying what leads to the plant’s ability in adapting to dry conditions. In addition, the researchers have begun to combine drought tolerance with high protein or high oleic, low linoleic traits. USB will invest up to $15.4 million in the Supply Action Team across meal, oil and sustainability.
• Meal Marketplace: This includes a focus on U.S. soybean value chain transparency around quality and product differentiation to drive global preference for U.S. soy and partnerships. For example, as part of this investment effort, USB will continue to support nationwide soybean quality surveys to inform decisions around product improvement. The intention is to better connect the supply and demand side of the soybean value chain to increase product quality and market share, both in the U.S. and overseas. Desired outcomes include increased visibility of U.S. soybean quality that delivers long-term, demand-driven value throughout the value chain. USB will invest up to $18.6 million in the Marketplace Action Team across meal, oil and sustainability.
• Oil Demand: This includes a focus on soybean oil as a renewable alternative in replacing petroleum-, formaldehyde- and palm-based products, to name a few. For example, in addressing the failing concrete infrastructure in the U.S., USB has partnered with PoreShield, which is a concrete sealer that utilizes soy methyl ester (biodiesel) and polystyrene. The objective of this project is to build awareness and demonstrate to key stakeholders the long-term solution that uniquely addresses this issue — distinguishing PoreShield as a concrete durability enhancement. USB will invest up to $34.3 million in the Demand Action Team across meal, oil and sustainability.
The soy checkoff’s goal of increasing the resilience of U.S. Soy stems from a long series of unprecedented challenges. But, even in a time of crisis during this pandemic, the checkoff has proven it is prepared and relentless in its work on behalf of farmers.
“We have been through a record year of hardship and uncertainty, but we must focus on the future,” said Carroll. “It seems like farming and living have never been harder, but the determination and commitment of farmers and the checkoff continue to lead us forward.”
To learn more about key investments being made on behalf of soybean farmers, check out the video report from USB leadership or visit unitedsoybean.org.
Retail Fertilizer Prices Drift Lower
Most retail fertilizer prices continued to drift lower the third week of July 2020, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.
Seven of the eight major fertilizers were lower in price compared to last month, but none of them were down a noteworthy amount, which DTN considers 5% or more. MAP has an average price of $428 per ton, down $1; potash $360/ton, down $3; urea $358/ton, down $1; 10-34-0 $466/ton, down $2; anhydrous $460/ton, down $3; UAN28 $225/ton, down $8; and UAN32 $263/ton, down $10.
The remaining fertilizer, DAP, had a slightly higher price looking back to last month at $407/ton, an increase of $3.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.39/lb.N, anhydrous $0.28/lb.N, UAN28 $0.40/lb.N and UAN32 $0.41/lb.N.
All retail fertilizer prices continue to be lower from a year ago. Anhydrous is 21% lower; MAP is 19% less expensive; DAP, UAN28 and UAN32 are all 18% lower; urea is 17% less expensive, potash is 9% lower and 10-34-0 is 4% less expensive from last year at this time.
Farmers to Families Food Box Program Reaches 50 Million Boxes Delivered
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed over 50 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The delivery of 50 Million food boxes has helped an incredible number of Americans in need,” said Secretary Perdue. “I couldn’t be prouder of the great job done by the food box program staff and the many farmers, distributors and non-profits that helped to get this program off the ground for the American people. The Farmers to Families Food Box Program got off to a strong start, delivering over 35.5 million boxes in the first 45 days, and has now reached over 50 million boxes delivered – a testament to everyone’s hard work. I have been meeting with food banks and recipients across the country and it’s been heartening to hear all the positive feedback on how the program has saved businesses and fed Americans in need. We are well into the second round of deliveries and we’re working harder than ever to continue to build on the success of the program.”
“50 million Farmers to Families Food Boxes have brought fresh and nutritious food grown by great American farmers to those most in need during this pandemic. I am proud of the profound impact this program has had on strengthening our workforce and nourishing hungry families. We will continue to prioritize our Nation’s farmers, ranchers, workers and families through this robust new Farmers to Families Food Box Program,” said Advisor to the President, Ivanka Trump.
House Passes WRDA Bill with Smith Priorities for Nebraska
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (H.R. 7575). Included in this legislation is language Smith developed with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to help communities which abide by certain criteria restore their eligibility for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance to repair damage from 2019 flooding.
Also included in this bill is language similar to the Lower Missouri Flood Prevention Program Act, which Smith helped introduce. The legislation would expand the scope of the Lower Missouri Basin study to improve flood prevention on the Missouri River from Sioux City, Iowa, and South Sioux City, Nebraska, to its confluence with the Mississippi River.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be required to study, design, and construct water resources development projects and modify existing ones to provide flood protection for communities and develop a system plan to for reducing flood risk and improving flood resiliency.
“The 2019 floods ravaged farmland, destroyed essential infrastructure like highways, water treatment plants, and levees that had withstood the test of time for decades. While touring the damage in Peru with Senator Slama and community leaders, it was clear something needed to be done. Though there is still work ahead of us, this legislation is a big step toward addressing these issues,” said Smith. Prevention is also critical to avoiding damage and destruction in communities like South Sioux City. This legislation supports ongoing local rebuilding efforts and has the potential to save towns in rural America who have previously fallen through the cracks.”
NGFA commends House for approving waterways bill
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) commended the House today for passing by a unanimous voice vote the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 (H.R. 7575).
The House bill includes two key NGFA priorities – an increase in the federal share of the funding for inland waterways projects and full use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF).
“To maintain American agriculture’s competitive transportation advantage against other countries, stakeholders must relentlessly make the case for continued investment in U.S. waterways infrastructure,” said NGFA Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Bobby Frederick. “Today’s bipartisan vote in the House brings Congress one step closer to achieving new WRDA legislation in 2020. NGFA will continue to work with both the House and Senate in an effort to ensure these policy wins for inland waterways and ports are reflected in the final agreement. An efficient waterborne transportation system is crucial for growing the American economy and job creation, and is vitally important to U.S. agricultural exports and their positive contribution to the U.S. balance of trade.”
WRDA legislation provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement water resources development projects. Since 2014, Congress has successfully enacted three consecutive WRDA bills on a biennial basis. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved WRDA 2020 on July 15 and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed its version of the legislation — dubbed the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (S. 3591) — in May.
The NGFA submitted a July 14 letter in support of H.R. 7575, which outlined priorities for the grain, feed and processing industry in the legislation. In addition, NGFA spearheaded a July 28 support letter from the Agricultural Transportation Working Group signed by 27 organizations.
Cost-Share Formula
H.R. 7575 would expedite completion of inland waterways projects by changing the cost-share formula from the current 50 percent general revenue and 50 percent Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) funding to 65 percent general revenue and 35 percent IWTF. The trust fund consists of revenues generated by barge fuel taxes assessed against commercial users of the inland waterways.
“It is well known that the majority of the nation’s locks and dams have outlived their 50-year design life and changing the cost-share is one prudent way to address this problem and bring U.S. waterways infrastructure into the 21st century more quickly,” Frederick said.
The Senate’s legislation also includes the same change in the cost-share amount, and also contains a beneficial provision that would make the cost-share change permanent instead of expiring in fiscal year 2027, as the House bill stipulates.
Full Use of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF)
H.R. 7575 also would allow access to the existing balance of funds within the HMTF. Currently, more than $9 billion has been collected and deposited in the fund but gone unspent for its intended purpose.
“Allowing full use of the [HMTF] for its intended purpose would correct the fiscal disservice to those that pay the 0.125 percent ad valorem tax based upon the value of cargo imports and would help restore the United States’ comparative transportation advantage,” Frederick said.
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