GOP senators voice doubts on farm tariff relief

Congressional Republicans are expressing deep skepticism of Trump administration's plan to bail out farms hit by tariffs, saying farmers want free trade, not handouts.

Agricultural Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, (R-Kansas), said "they would much prefer trade, rather than aid."

Sen. Ben Sasse, (R-Nebraska), said Trump's trade war "is cutting the legs out from under farmers and White House's 'plan' is to spend $12 billion on gold crutches."

Senators said the aid package could help short-term, but they're worried about losing long-term access to export markets. "When the tariff war is over... how do we get those markets back?" asked Sen. Jerry Moran, (R-Kansas).

Sen. Bob Corker, (R-Tennessee), said "instead of offering welfare to farmers" to solve a problem the administration created, it "should reverse course and end this incoherent policy."