May 7, 2020 — Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has joined a bipartisan group of 25 lawmakers in pushing for federal aid for fishermen and seafood processors hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
The lawmakers sent a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asking that upcoming coronavirus relief legislation include money and other support for the industry.
“Our seafood processors and fishermen have been dealt a significant economic blow as a result of coronavirus and are in desperate need of federal assistance,” the senators wrote. “It has been reported that many of the nation’s fisheries have suffered sales declines as high as 95 percent. In addition, while many other agricultural sectors have seen a significant increase in grocery sales, seafood has been left out of that economic upside, as stores have cut back on offerings.”