IARN — Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee, after viewing the leaked details of the House Agriculture Committee’s incomplete reconciliation package, criticized the measure as an affront to the Farm Bill process and a “Trojan horse” for American agriculture.
“This bill is an attack on the Farm Bill process by extending narrow, partisan priorities beyond their expiration while leaving production agriculture hanging by the vine,” Rep. Thompson said. “This is what happens when congressional committees are held hostage by party leaders who have zero interest in protecting the individuals and communities who feed, clothe, and fuel this great nation.”
The reconciliation package was rushed through the Farm Bill process earlier this month. Although various questions were raised by both Republican and Democrats, House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott said that the missing conservation funds- around $28 billion in additional spending- would be inserted into the text as the bill proceeded to the floor.
“It is no wonder why Democrats chose to keep this text from their own rank-and-file members, let alone Republicans,” Rep. Thompson said. “This text and process will have significant political and financial ramifications, and further shows just how out of touch Democrats are with rural America and the needs of production agriculture. Rural communities certainly won’t be ‘thanking anyone later’ for leaving farmers high and dry.”
The missing $28 billion for conservation and debt relief provisions, which were previously omitted since House and Senate Democrats were unable to draft a conservation title or obtain a CBO estimate, were included in the recently-leaked details of the reconciliation package. You can find the full text by clicking here.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
