The Agricultural Act of 2014 is Rare Bipartisan Jobs Bill, Reforms Programs, Reduces Deficit by $23 Billion
The U.S. Senate cleared a procedural hurdle today and voted to proceed to consideration of the 2014 Farm Bill, paving the way for a final vote on the measure tomorrow. Cloture was invoked with strong bipartisan support of 72-22. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), the Committee’s Ranking Member, co-authored the bipartisan reform bill that ends direct payment subsidies, saves taxpayers $23 billion, and helps America’s agriculture economy continue to grow. The bill significantly increases support for fruits and vegetables and local food systems. It also protects critical food assistance for children, seniors and families while achieving savings in the program solely by addressing misuse. It is also the country’s largest investment in land and water conservation in years.
The Farm Bill is supported by hundreds of farm, healthy food, conservation and other organizations. Click here to see the list of supporters.
“This is not your father’s Farm Bill,” Stabenow said. “Tomorrow, the Senate can enact major reforms to farm programs, end outdated and unnecessary subsidies, and support the transition the American people are already making to a healthier food system. Congress has passed few major deficit reduction bills or major bipartisan jobs bills in recent years. Tomorrow, the Senate can reduce the deficit and help farmers, ranchers and business owners create jobs by passing the 2014 Farm Bill.”
“The Senate has an opportunity to end the uncertainty that has dogged farmers and consumers for years,” Cochran said. “I am grateful that the 2014 farm bill, with its many reforms and deficit reduction measures, is receiving bipartisan support from all regions of the country. This legislation was purposely written to ensure that agriculture policies work to strengthen the diversity of the American agriculture sector, to foster conservation and combat nutrition program abuses.”
For more information, and a summary of the Agricultural Act of 2014, please visit the Senate Agriculture Committee’s website at http://www.ag.senate.gov/issues/farm-bill.