Congresswoman Duckworth's Statement on Passage of Farm Bill

Statement

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) released the following statement on her vote for the Farm Bill which passed the House of Representatives.

"While it is far from perfect, I am pleased that Congress came together to pass a much needed Farm Bill. The Agricultural Act of 2014, legislation that represents bipartisan compromise, provides much needed support and certainty for Illinois farmers and saves tax payers $23 billion through several reforms, including the elimination of direct payments. The Farm Bill also provides strong investment in renewable fuel and renewable chemical manufacturing and strong conservation and forest stewardship provisions that will benefit our environment and the biotechnology industry in Illinois. I am especially encouraged by the creation of a USDA Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison and expanded outreach to Veteran farmers and ranchers."

"Still, I am deeply disappointed that this legislation makes cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). I am grateful that the draconian cuts initially proposed by the House were not included in the final Farm Bill, and that it includes laudable investments in food banks and pilot work programs. However, I believe at a time when American families are struggling to make ends meet in this economy, cuts to this program are misguided. The SNAP benefit is the difference between a child going to bed hungry or having the energy to focus on school. It is the safety net that allows low-income seniors to be able to both eat and afford medication. In my district the poverty rate rose from 5.3% in 2000 to 9.2% in 2011. We need to be finding ways to reduce poverty in our communities, not cutting programs like SNAP that work."

"I am also disappointed that the Farm Bill failed to repeal the duplicative and wasteful USDA catfish program, and in fact expanded it. The GAO, and numerous watchdog organizations have identified the USDA Catfish program as duplicative, wasteful and a high risk for fraud, waste, and abuse. It also presents a needless burden on Illinois businesses. It is essential that we continue to work towards reform of this wasteful program."

"Nevertheless, I am encouraged that my colleagues and I were able to pass a Farm Bill that shows bipartisan cooperation is possible and can allow us to better serve our communities' needs."

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