(NAFB.com) – The Trump administration will release about $3 billion in assistance to U.S. farmers despite the government shutdown, administration officials told CBS News. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also planning to resume operations Thursday at the Farm Service Agency, which runs financial assistance and loan programs for farmers, according to a USDA spokesperson. Many of the agency’s operations were shuttered due to the government shutdown. President Trump told the department to give out the $3 billion in aid by tapping a fund that was used in his first term to aid farmers, officials said. “President Trump is committed to supporting America’s farmers and ranchers and this action will release billions in assistance for farmers that Democrats in Congress have held up for over 20 days,” the USDA spokesperson said. Many farmers have faced pressure in recent months as China cuts off soybean purchases amid a trade war with the U.S.
