While many are praising a budget deal that averts a government shutdown and the prospect of one until after next year’s elections, the deal isn’t being welcomed by many agricultural state lawmakers. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) announced he will vote against the budget deal negotiated behind closed doors because of its raid on crop insurance funding.
“I will vote against the budget deal because it will undermine the number one risk management tool for farmers in America – crop insurance.
“Agriculture producers are battling floods while others continue to face ongoing and severe drought. Crop insurance has kept them in business in a tough economy and eliminated the need for a costly emergency federal disaster package. These proposals to make further cuts to the crop insurance program were not included in the House- or Senate-passed budgets, in any appropriations bills, or in the president’s budget request. Once again, our leaders are attempting to govern by backroom deals where the devil is in the details.”
The Congressional Congressional Budget Office says the deal would cut crop insurance by more than $3 billion over 10 years. Roberts was joined in his opposition of the deal by House Agriculture Chairman Rep. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and by the ranking members of both agriculture committees, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN).
“Make no mistake, this is not about saving money. It is about eliminating Federal Crop Insurance,” said Chairman Conaway. “The House Agriculture Committee was not consulted regarding any changes to policies under the jurisdiction of our committee. This provision is opposed by an overwhelming majority or our committee members. It was debated and defeated during the 2014 farm bill process, and to move forward with it now breaks faith with the American producer. I am working alongside many of my colleagues to have the provision removed. If it is not removed, I will vote against this bill and work to defeat its passage. The American people deserve better than continued backroom deals struck in the middle of the night that entirely undercut the legislative process.”
“I oppose any efforts to cut or reopen Farm Bill programs. It is particularly disappointing to see cuts to crop insurance in the budget agreement,” said Ranking Member Stabenow. “These types of cuts only undermine the economic certainty that the Farm Bill provides. The Farm Bill made meaningful reforms to help reduce the deficit. Any attempts to reopen any part of the Farm Bill to more cuts would be a major set-back for rural America and our efforts to create jobs.”
“We made major cuts when we wrote the Farm Bill,” said Ranking Member Peterson. “It is not appropriate to cut agriculture again. The Farm Bill should not be raided. I oppose any cuts.”