WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement on Saturday, September 22nd about Congress’ failure to pass comprehensive, multi-year food, farm and jobs legislation before the current law expires on Sept. 30, 2012:
“In a year that has brought its share of challenges to America’s farmers and ranchers, the House Republicans have added new uncertainty for rural America. Unfortunately, House Republicans left Washington without passing comprehensive, multi-year food, farm and jobs legislation, leaving thousands of farming families exposed. U.S. agriculture is fighting to maintain the tremendous momentum it has built over the past three years, but with natural disasters and other external forces threatening livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers, certainty is more important than ever. Americans deserve a food, farm and jobs bill that reforms the safety net for producers in times of need, promotes the bio-based economy, conserves our natural resources, strengthens rural communities, promotes job growth in rural America, and supports food assistance to low-income families. Without the certainty of a multi-year bill, rural communities are being asked to shoulder undue burdens.”
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/investigate-fraud-plagued-115-billion-settlement-black-farmers-congressman-says
The Democrats allowed this kind of fraud to happen with Pigford II. There should have been 3000 unreimbursed farmers, but 94,000 applied. Duh. We can thank Barack Obama for this expensive fraud.
Yep, I remember the 1980’s real well in my home state. So many people lost their land and living. I guess some have short memories.
I remember a farmer up in Guckeen complaining that after all his corn sold in ’99, that it did not cover his costs. No crop insurance or program covered those losses.
I would rather some sort of program, as Senator Grassley mentioned, with a top stop in payments, than nothing at all.
Besides, as it has been said many times, 75% of the cost of the farm bill is for USDA food stamp programs.
Earth to Tommy V: Blame your man Dingy Harry & The US Senate he controls for anything failing to pass.
I don’t feel sorry for millionair farmers. let them take their chances same as everyone else. As far as the other crap he wants for nothing, if it was any good it would make it on it’s own and wouldn’t need our tax money. Harry wouldn’t even bring it to a vote anyway just like anything else the Republicans have tried to get through. Don’t throw rocks when you live in a glass house.
The Republicans are to blame on farm bill and jobs bill but the democrats are to blame for not having a budget. Democrats + Republicans = Destuction of our country!!!
Well, you can expect nothing but more of the same if his wife gets elected to Congress.
Cry baby farmers get subsidized for more stuff than an unmarried minority female with a criminal record and a dozen kids from 5 different men and a limp! Why in the hell should anyone be guaranteed a profit in business?! Then y’all piss and moan about the rich!!
Let’s see – corn in $8 range and land around $10k/acre. Farmers have their nut covered with taxpayer subsidized crop insurance – and we need a comprehensive, multi-year program because??
It is time for us to realize electing politicians on the basis of the stuff they bring home to us is bankrupting the country and has to stop.