Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is coming under fire after he suggested aid in the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill to Black farmers is “reparations.”
Graham argued during a Fox News interview Sunday, “Let me give you an example of something that really bothers me: In this bill, if you’re a farmer, your loan will be forgiven up to 120%… if you’re socially disadvantaged, if you’re African American, [if] you’re some other minority.”
“But if you’re a white person, if you’re a white woman, no forgiveness,” the South Carolina lawmaker continued. “That’s reparations.”
Graham found himself facing criticism from Democrats for that claim regarding about $5 billion in aid.
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said during a CNN “New Day” interview on Wednesday, “He knows what the state of South Carolina in this country has done to Black farmers. They didn’t do it to white farmers.”
“He ought to be ashamed of himself,” Clyburn added, reiterating, “Lindsey ought to be ashamed.”
When asked what he says to Graham’s claim the aid is “reparations,” Clyburn suggested he “maybe go to church” and “get in touch with his sanity.”
Watch Clyburn’s reaction below:
Rep. James Clyburn reacts to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s comments on aid for Black farmers.
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) March 10, 2021
“He knows what the state of South Carolina in this country has done to Black farmers. They didn't do it to White farmers. He ought to be ashamed of himself.” pic.twitter.com/j4DNvLybF4
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jamie Harrison also reacted to Graham. Harrison ran against Graham in the 2020 congressional election.
“What you’ve got right there is an example of a senator who doesn’t work for all of his citizens,” Harrison said on “CNN Tonight” late Tuesday. “Lindsey should be ashamed of himself.”
Harrison added, “Donald Trump, during his administration, gave out $28 billion to farmers, and asked how many black farmers in South Carolina benefited. He was as quiet as a church mouse.”
The DNC chair called on Graham to be gotten rid of in the Senate, labeling him “dead weight.”
See Harrison’s comments below:
DNC Chair Jamie Harrison on Sen. Graham's remarks that the billions of dollars in aid to Black farmers in the Covid relief bill are "reparations."
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) March 10, 2021
"Donald Trump, during his administration, gave out $28 billion to farmers. Asked how many black farmers in S. Carolina benefited." pic.twitter.com/AnbFCdtUuc
Additionally, John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, reacted to Graham’s remarks during Tuesday’s CNN interview.
“I’ve never heard him speak out against discrimination, but he doesn’t want us to get any justice here,” he said. “There’s something terribly wrong with this picture.”