SENATE PASSES FARM BILL

Conner says bill is flawed

The Senate moved quickly Friday afternoon to resolve procedural differences and voted to approve HR 2419 on a vote 79-14. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) acting Secretary Chuck Conner, "Farmers and ranchers face enormous uncertainties and deserve a safety net, and I am a firm believer in federal support of agriculture. Yet, the farm bill just passed by the Senate fails to strengthen the safety net and increases taxes to generate $15 billion in revenue used to grow the size and scope of government. The bill further increases price supports and continues to send farm subsidies to people who are among the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. The Senate-passed farm bill does not represent fiscal stewardship and lacks farm program reform.

"This legislation is fundamentally flawed. Unless the House and Senate can come together and craft a measure that contains real reform, we are no closer to a good farm bill than we were before today's passage.