Delaney Calls for Five Year Farm Bill After House Passes Emergency Extension

Press Release

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed an emergency extension of the farm bill by voice vote. The bill extends the current farm bill through January 31st, as a means to allow further deliberations on a conference version of the House and Senate bills. Sunday, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) authored an op-ed in the Frederick News-Post calling for a full five year farm bill.

Delaney issues the following statement:

"The farm bill is absolutely fundamental to insuring that we have a stable, sustainable, and affordable food supply for our country. It doesn't get more important than that. While I support this brief extension, the debate on the farm bill is not over. Over 350,000 Marylanders are employed in the agricultural sector and agriculture is our largest commercial industry. Maryland farmers have made it very clear to me: they need a long-term farm bill so they can make prudent financial decisions that reflect the rules of the road.

"As we approach the prospect of doing serious damage to our economy and harming real people, we have to find a solution. We can't let the pursuit of extreme cuts to our nutritional assistance programs, which provide needed aid to our least fortunate hold up a compromise. Last night, in passing a budget with broad bipartisan support, members of the House showed that they are ready for compromise and cooperation, let's carry that spirit forward in January and pass a five year farm bill."

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