President Trump on Monday rolled out a new $8 billion program aimed at giving farmers temporary relief from soaring fuel costs during the harvest season.
The president announced the Harvest Fuel Relief Program at a rally in Kansas, where he was stumping for Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. Marshall is running for reelection in a competitive race against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton.
Speaking to the crowd, Trump said the $8 billion would “offset diesel costs during this harvest season.”
The president gave Marshall credit for the effort.
“Roger Marshall is the leader who fought for that to happen,” Trump said. “Roger got it to happen.”
According to a release from the Agriculture Department, the $8 billion fund will be available for one-time payments to farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the program will deliver “critical support to farmers facing rising costs and market disruptions.”
FARM STATE REPUBLICANS PUSH FOR ACTION
The announcement comes after farm state Republicans pressed the administration to take action on high diesel prices amid the war with Iran.
The numbers show why the issue has become a priority for lawmakers representing agricultural communities.
The current national average price for diesel sits at roughly $6.32 per gallon, according to AAA. A year ago, the average price for diesel was $3.63 per gallon.
That means farmers heading into the harvest season are paying far more to run their equipment than they were at this time last year.
OTHER EFFORTS TO LOWER DIESEL COSTS
The Harvest Fuel Relief Program is not the only step the president has taken to address diesel prices.
Earlier this month, Trump announced measures to increase the availability of red-dyed diesel.
Red dye is added to that diesel to signal that it is tax exempt. The fuel is typically used in farm and construction equipment, making it especially relevant to the agricultural sector.
NO EXPORT BAN ON THE TABLE
While the administration has moved forward with relief measures, the president has drawn a firm line on one proposal.
Some Republicans have called for a pause on diesel exports as a way to address prices at home. However, Trump said earlier this month that he would not authorize an export ban on diesel.
“We were never going to do it,” the president told reporters earlier this month.
A KANSAS RACE IN FOCUS
Monday’s announcement put a spotlight on Marshall as he works to hold onto his seat in a competitive contest against Hamilton.
By tying the new relief program directly to the Kansas senator, Trump made clear he views Marshall as a key player in the push to help farmers cope with rising fuel costs.
For farmers facing higher diesel prices this harvest season, the $8 billion fund offers one-time payments meant to help offset those costs, according to the Agriculture Department.
