From the DCCC:
Does Denver Riggleman Agree with Secretary Perdue That Farmers Need to “Stop Whining”?
Across the Commonwealth, farmers are feeling squeezed by the reckless trade war-by-tweet that has cut off critical international export markets for American agriculture and caused huge financial hardship for rural communities. This hardship will only get worse as a new round of Chinese tariffs take effect on September 1st, in response to the trade war Republicans in Washington sparked. Remember, China is Virginia’s top agricultural export market for soybeans, which will be impacted by the trade war.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is “a staunch backer of the president’s policies, publicly defending tariffs,” so what does he have to say to farmers who are reeling due to the trade war?
Stop whining.
According to the New York Times:
Peppered with complaints from farmers fed up with President Trump’s trade war, Sonny Perdue found his patience wearing thin. Mr. Perdue, the agriculture secretary and the guest of honor at the annual Farmfest gathering in southern Minnesota this month, tried to break the ice with a joke.
“What do you call two farmers in a basement?” Mr. Perdue asked near the end of a testy hourlong town-hall-style event. “A whine cellar.”
A cascade of boos ricocheted around the room.
Given that Congressman Riggleman hosted Secretary Perdue Monday in Albemarle County and the Secretary’s recent out-of-touch claims about farmers, it begs the question: does Denver Riggleman stand with Virginia farmers or with Perdue?
“Virginia farmers should not be collateral damage in President Trump’s trade war with China,” said DCCC spokesperson Christine Bennett. “Will Denver Riggleman continue to stand with his buddy Secretary Perdue, a defender of the reckless trade war, or will Denver actually stand-up and fight for Virginia farmers and families?”
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