Agriculture Committee Republicans to Democrats: Show Us the Money

Press Release

Agriculture Committee Republicans to Democrats: Show Us the Money

Tonight, the Agriculture Committee Republicans were unanimous in their objection to proceeding to markup the farm bill in a bipartisan fashion until the money promised to the Committee is produced. Additionally, the Republican Members of the Committee expressed their intention to meet with the Chairman once they have had the opportunity to review the bill with its comprehensive manager's amendment language and have received the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores.

"In the short-term, we're being asked to support a bill that we've yet to see in final form without the final CBO scores. In the long-term, we're being asked to take a bill to the floor that lacks sufficient funding to withstand a barrage of potentially devastating amendments. We continue to urge the Chairman to pull in the reins and proceed when the funding is made available," said Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte.

Despite months of urging to slow down and wait for sufficient funds to materialize, the Committee is scheduled to begin consideration of the farm bill tomorrow afternoon.

"Agriculture Committee Republicans want to write a forward looking farm bill and we want to work with our Democratic colleagues to get the job done. But if getting the job done means setting American agriculture on a chopping block and inviting everyone in to take a slice, that is not a position we can stand behind," said Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte.

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