Rep. Pitts Introduces Bipartisan Sugar Reform Bill

Press Release

Today, Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced, H.R. 1385, the Free Market Sugar Act, a bill to reform the U.S. sugar program. The two also announced the formation of the Congressional Sugar Reform Caucus. The current USDA sugar program tightly controls the supply and price of sugar in the U.S., leading to a domestic price for sugar that is nearly double the average world price.

"Both Congressman Davis and I share the same first priority--seeing that our economy creates good jobs for our constituents," said Congressman Pitts. "Our legislation reforms the USDA sugar program so that we can restore competition to the industry and keep jobs here in America."

According to the most recent estimate, consumers pay an additional $4 billion a year because of sugar program controls. The Department of Commerce estimates that 90,000 jobs in sugar-using industries have been lost in the last decade.

"My community used to be called the Candy Capitol of the world. Where we produced candy of every type, every stripe, every color," said Congressman Davis. "Now all of these individuals who used to have these jobs are wondering what's next for them. I commend Representative Pitts for his leadership. I am pleased to join with him as co-chairman of the Sugar Reform Caucus."

Tim Jones, purchasing manager for Just Born of Bethlehem, Pa., also joined Pitts and Davis for the bill's introduction. Just Born manufactures well-known products such as PEEPs and Mike & Ike.

"Since 2007 I've seen the price of sugar more than double," said Jones. "This policy costs Just Born and other companies like ours millions of dollars. It forces some to close and others to move off-shore."

Congressman Pitts added, "Our bill opens up the domestic sugar processing market and allows companies to compete. We don't bailout underperforming businesses. We just let the market do its work, just like it does for Just Born and Tim Jones."

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