Support for Rural and Small-Town America, and for The Heartland

Policies and legislation we support, toward the goal of supporting Rural and Small-Town America and America’s Heartland:

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which passed Congress, and was signed into law by the President on March 11, 2021: Supported by 60-75% of the American People according to recent polls, this Law provides relief to Americans, American workers, small businesses, State Governments, Rural and Small-Town America, and more, from the disasters and lasting harms suffered due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The law provides funding for agriculture and nutrition programs, programs for older Americans and their families; COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention; mental health and substance-use disorder services; small business assistance; help for health care providers in rural areas, among many other provisions helping the American Middle Class, Rural, Small-Town and Heartland America, and all Americans.

See more detail on this Law under Policies we Support to bring Fairness, Good Jobs, and a Level Playing Field for the Middle Class »

American Jobs Plan & Infrastructure Program: Subject to negotiation of details, we broadly support the policies and priorities laid out in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan & Build Back Better Infrastructure Program, paid for by modest tax increases on the wealthy who earn incomes of more than $400,000.00 per year and by closing tax loopholes for big corporations, some of which now pay $0 in annual taxes.

Polls indicate that this proposed American Jobs Act is supported overall by 68% of the American People, and certain specific provisions of the Act are supported by even greater majorities of up to 80% of the American People. This proposed law will help create millions of good paying American jobs for the Middle Class, revitalize manufacturing, build back our crumbling roads, bridges, transit systems, pipes, and other infrastructure throughout America, expand Broadband access, and provide support for Middle Class families. Many of these provisions will directly benefit Rural and Small Town America and America’s Heartland.

See polls and more detail on this Law under Policies we Support to bring Fairness, Good Jobs, and a Level Playing Field for the Middle Class »

Senate Bill 359 pending in the U.S. Congress: A bipartisan bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to modify prevented planting coverage, permitting the planting of cover crops and related changes. Sponsors: Sen. John Hoeven [R-ND]; Sen. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI]

Senate Bill 370 Pending in the U.S. Congress: A bipartisan bill to amend the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act to support small and very small meat and poultry processing establishments, and for other purposes. Sponsors: Sen. John Thune [R-SD]; Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]; Sen. Susan Collins [R-ME]; Sen. Angus King [I-ME]; Sen. Mike Rounds [R-SD]; Sen. Tina Smith [D-MN]; Sen. Kevin Cramer [R-ND]; Sen. Robert Casey [D-PA]

Senate Bill 949 pending in the U.S. Congress: A bipartisan bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to foster efficient markets and increase competition and transparency among packers that purchase livestock from producers. Sponsors: Sen. Chuck Grassley [R-IA]; Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]; Sen. John Hoeven [R-ND]; Sen. Tina Smith [D-MN]; Sen. Joni Ernst [R-IA]; Sen. Ron Wyden [D-OR]; Sen. Mike Rounds [R-SD]; Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ]; Sen. Steve Daines [R-MT]

Senate Bill 1328 pending in the U.S. Congress: A bipartisan bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to reauthorize the farm to school program, and for other purposes. Sponsors: Sponsors: Sen. Patrick Leahy [D-VT]; Sen. Thom Tillis [R-NC]; Sen. Sherrod Brown [D-OH]; Sen. Susan Collins [R-ME]

Senate Bill 1107 pending in the U.S. Congress: A bipartisan bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee investments that will open new markets for forest owners in rural areas of the United States, and for other purposes. Sponsors: Sen. Debbie Stabenow [D-MI]; Sen. Mike Braun [R-IN]; Sen. Angus King [I-ME]; Sen. Shelley Capito [R-WV]

House Bill 1490: 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021: To amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Angie Craig [D-MN]