A group of lawmakers this week expressed concerns regarding the Department of Agriculture’s requirements for the Emergency Relief Program.

In a letter to USDA, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) led the effort saying USDA’s 2022 Emergency Relief Program requirements are misguided and losing sight of the relief program’s intent outlined by Congress when it was created.

The Biden Administration’s USDA made requirements that have nothing to do with helping farmers deal with natural disasters. The lawmakers states that by the USDA attaching excessive conditions to receive aid, this federal relief program could force farmers to wait even longer for assistance or completely jeopardize their ability to access the program.

“American producers have experienced significant losses, and the Administration has taken an approach that does not reflect Congressional intent,” the latter stated. The lawmakers “strongly request the USDA abandon this current program” and implement the framework of 2021 ERP Phase 1 as quickly as possible.