Boozman Deeply Disappointed Democrats Block Farm Bill

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after committee Democrats voted against advancing a farm bill, blocking critical legislation to support America's farmers, ranchers, and producers:

“I’m deeply disappointed by this outcome. We have a responsibility to stand with America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Everyone recognizes the serious challenges they continue to face, and blocking the farm bill only adds to the uncertainty and hardship.

“From the beginning, our goal has been to deliver a bipartisan farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net, invests in rural America and provides producers confidence through updated policies after years of delayed reauthorization.

“This legislation was crafted to earn broad support and incorporated more than 100 bipartisan bills and priorities, including authorizing year-round sales of E15, while addressing the real needs of our producers and rural communities who depend on it. And it also reflected careful coordination with the administration to ensure it could be signed into law after passing Congress.

“America’s farmers and ranchers have pleaded for more farm in the farm bill. Republicans provided it and Democrats rejected it and they simply cannot afford continued delays. The status quo is not only unsustainable for farm country. It is catastrophic. They deserve the certainty, stability and support only a bipartisan farm bill can provide.

“Instead, Democrats remain fixated on a partisan policy that allows states to continue the incredible wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars, ignoring our negotiated proposal.

“This debate was about the FARM BILL, not protecting the mismanagement of billions of dollars in food aid.

“I remain committed to working with those who put our farmers and rural communities first on advancing solutions that strengthen agriculture.”