Andrew Walmsley

Earlier this week, the Senate rolled out the Health Economic Assistance Liability Protection and Schools Act, better known as the HEALS Act. The proposal includes an additional $20 billion in relief funds for agriculture. Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation Congressional Relations Director, said the funding expands much-needed relief across agriculture ...

There’s growing national concern about a second coronavirus wave and another lockdown that will force Ag and other sectors to examine if they’re better prepared to handle another wave. Several states are reporting an increase in hospitalizations as other states look at slowly reopening. Vaccine p ...

A new pandemic aid package is now looking more and more likely in July, and America's farmers and ranchers say the need remain great. Pressure is increasing for more aid as pandemic jobless benefits run out for millions next month, states and cities face depleted budgets, and Ag struggles with steep losses in livestock, crops and dairy ...

The White House and Hill Democrats remain at odds on the way forward on another pandemic aid package, despite the growing needs in agriculture and other sectors. While both sides of the aisle says more economic aid is needed, talks are on hold, amid big differences on new proposals and as aides to the president advised waiting, maybe another month, to see the impact of trillions already approved

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation agriculture’s rescue needs in any new COVID-19 Congressional aid package are huge, well more than help already provided. Ag losses already in the billions are growing by the day, from meat plant shutdowns and retooling costs, to livestock losses, to crop and dairy losses in mountains of unsold and destroyed product. The ...

Ag leaders say producers need more federal help to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, as demand for aid far outstrips help already provided, and Congress tries to agree on new funding. Cattlemen, alone, say they’ve lost close to $14 billion, even before a major packing plant in Colorado and others, closed. The ...

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, better known as the CARES Act that cleared Congress last week includes billions of dollars directed at helping rural communities and agriculture through the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation Congressional Relations Director said the $2 trillion bill is unprecedented ...

The Farm Bureau says the new Farm Bill is a great thing for the farm economy.  Andrew Walmsley, AFBF Congressional Relations Director, said Farm Bureau members were ecstatic after months of work to see the Farm Bill pass in late December.  ...

The Farm Bill conference committee announced last week it had agreed in principle setting up for passage of the pivotal legislation by year’s end.  Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation congressional relations director, says the hope is lawmakers will address the bill during this the final week of 2018.   “...

The American Farm Bureau Federation and other Ag organizations are requesting a five-year exemption from Hours of Service requirements for livestock haulers.  Andrew Walmsley, AFBF congressional relations director, said the safety measures for truck drivers need to consider the uniqueness of hauling livestock.  ...