Torres Small Virtually Brings House Agriculture Committee Chairman to New Mexico, Fights for NM Agricultural Producers

Las Cruces, N.M. –Yesterday, Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) hosted House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (MN-07) as part of a virtual round table during which agricultural producers from across southern New Mexico had the opportunity to engage directly with Congressional Leadership.  During the call, Peterson and Torres Small addressed the concerns and challenges facing the state's agricultural industry, including payment caps for dairy producers, ranchers, and specialty crops like the state’s famous chile.  Since COVID-19 first impacted the state, Torres Small has prioritized staying in constant contact with farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers who are doing essential work protecting our nation's food security.

During the call, Chairman Peterson provided decades of insight into dairy industry challenges, with special attention to the development of the payment cap limits; and a focus on the persistent issues many producers face and what fixes are necessary to make recent federal COVID-19 focused resources work for New Mexicans, like changes to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and the Paycheck Protection Program.

“With over 10,000 farms, New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional district is the agricultural engine of our state. As we continue to face the COVID-19 public health emergency together, Congressional Leadership must hear directly from New Mexicans. That’s why I worked to virtually bring Chairman Peterson to New Mexico,” said Torres Small, member of the House Agriculture Committee.  

“I’m proud to serve on the House Agriculture Committee alongside leaders like Chairman Peterson who continue to focus on finding solutions to the problems keeping our producers up at night.  I fought to make sure farmers and ranchers could access emergency disaster grants and loans and I continue to work to remove the payment caps in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) so New Mexican dairies can get their fair share. I thank Chairman Peterson for championing these priorities with me as we negotiate with Congressional leadership,” concluded Torres Small.

Since early March, Torres Small fought for New Mexico’s farmers and producers affected by COVID-19, working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver relief and results:

• After New Mexico’s dairy and cattle producers raised concerns about commodity payment caps in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, Torres Small led bipartisan letter to President Trump advocating for the removal of commodity payment caps.
• Torres Small also fought alongside Representative Anthony Delgado (NY-07) to expand eligibility for SBA programs, including EIDL and PPP, to ensure New Mexico’s agricultural engine receives necessary relief to stay afloat through a letter to the SBA.
• Joined letter led by Rep. Welch requesting funds for the dairy industry.
• Supported efforts to get farmers the PPE they need to continue to feed communities across the country.
• Requested Secretary Perdue quickly implement funding from the CARES Act to support specialty crop producers.
• Called for swift assistance for cattle producers through CARES Act funding.

###