Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is scheduling a procedural vote on a Republican crafted COVID 19 relief bill for next week. The House passed their own measure earlier and the two parties have been arguing over funding levels. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says he’s glad to see the Senate Majority Leader moving ahead but doesn’t think it’ll get very far.

He says there’s been widespread economic harm from the pandemic that’s effected both agriculture and non agriculture.

Wertish says the biggest need now in recovering from the pandemic is getting people back to work.

Minnesota came in fourth place in states receiving Coronavirus Food Assistance 2 payments with $343 million paid out. Wertish says that’ll be helpful for some but more assistance is needed for all areas of the economy.