The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture praised passage of a bill that will restore $3 billion worth of cuts to the nation’s crop insurance program. Kansas Republican Sen. Pat Roberts said passage came from a deal in H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, something brokered with Senate leadership.
“When the cuts to crop insurance were announced earlier this year, the message from farm country could not have been clearer: do not target crop insurance,” Roberts said.
“I thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell, Senate Majority Whip Cornyn, Senate Republican Conference Chairman Thune, Senator Inhofe, House leadership and Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway for their work on behalf of American agriculture and making good on their commitment to restore these critical funds.”
“Though there’s certainly no silver bullet to ensure success in agriculture, the federal crop insurance program allows producers to manage their own risks and to have peace of mind when putting their seed in the ground. I’m proud to lead a Committee that continues to put the farmers first.”
A provision was also included eliminating a burdensome regulation that requires agriculture industry professionals to obtain a hazardous material endorsement before transporting diesel fuel critical for a number of agricultural operations. This provision closely resembles standalone legislation that the senator has championed.
The FAST Act now awaits the president’s signature.