The United States Department of Agriculture is making more than half a billion dollars in trade war relief available to America’s seafood industry–including the tuna industry.
KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
American Samoa’s fishermen can sign up for some of the $530 million dollars now available through the Seafood Trade Relief Program, run by USDA’s Farm Service Agency.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue says the relief backed by President Trump, is intended to counter “unjustified retaliatory tariffs,” as Trump pushes for better trade deals.
16 kinds of fish are covered by the aid, including tuna.
Fishermen can sign up for relief from September 14th through December 14th and should apply through their local USDA Service Center.
The Farm Service Agency office in Pago Pago can be reached at (684) 633-1031, extension 121. The application for relief can be found at www.farmers.gov/seafood.
Separately, Senate GOP efforts to advance a so-called ‘skinny’ virus relief bill with more aid for small businesses, enhanced unemployment, virus testing, schools, childcare and the post office, ran into solid Democratic opposition.
Democrats accused Republicans of taking an inadequate and piecemeal approach to the pandemic in their $500-billion bill.
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of doing nothing for political reasons…
Play Audio
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer countered that Republicans refused to take up the House Democrat-passed Heroes Act, opposed by many Senate Republicans for its$3-Trillion-price tag.
The latest failed GOP effort could spark another round of bipartisan talks in a possible last-ditch bid before the November elections to salvage more
