Friday, December 20, 2013
Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, one of two working family farmers in the Senate, made the following comment about the current status of the farm and nutrition bill negotiations and his provisions to place a hard cap on farm payments and the actively engaged loophole.
"As members of Congress head home for the holidays, farm bill negotiators still have a to-do list. It's my understanding that the last remaining issue to be resolved is my provision to place a hard cap on farm payments and close the loophole that tens of thousands of people are using claiming to be actively engaged in the business of farming. These provisions are in both bills, and should not be subject to negotiation. They should have DO NOT TOUCH stamped across that section of the bill. Unfortunately, the minority in both the House and Senate who voted against these provisions are a majority on the conference committee, so it remains a fight to the end. To close loopholes for food stamps, but leave open loopholes for the biggest farmers to exploit taxpayers is the wrong way to do business. We ought to apply scrutiny and end abuse in all programs."
