There are many myths going around about the proposed 2012 Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act – and Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow wants the facts to be known. Stabenow says the proposed legislation is the most significant reform of American agriculture in decades, ending direct payments and three other subsidy programs that will save more than 23-billion dollars. That represents more than double the amount recommended by the Simpson-Bowles commission and Gang of Six and also is more than suggested during the super committee’s sequestration process.
Stabenow points out the 23.6-billion is roughly two-percent of the super committee’s goal of 1.2-trillion in deficit reduction – and the portion of the budget under the Ag Committee’s jurisdiction is nearly two-percent. Finally – Stabenow says the changes made regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reduce fraud and abuse – improving the programs integrity to make sure needy families truly receive help. These changes leave standard benefits and eligibility rules – but save 4-billion dollars.
Stabenow says people need to thank farmers every day for the safest, most affordable food supply in the world. She says the farm bill is about supporting policies that will help them continue to be successful and have economic certainty for the future.
Both a title-by-title and a section-by-section summary of the farm bill are available for download on the Agriculture Committee’s website.[audio:https://www.hoosieragtoday.com//wp-content/uploads//2012/06/Stabenow-after-90-8-vote.mp3|titles=Stabenow after 90-8 vote]
Source: NAFB News Service