Press Releases
Kuster Statement on House Rejection of Farm Bill
Washington, DC,
June 20, 2013
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today after voting against the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act, also known as the Farm Bill.
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today after voting against the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act, also known as the Farm Bill. “For months, I have worked with members of both parties to craft a Farm Bill that would provide long-term certainty to farmers, consumers, and rural communities in New Hampshire and across our country. While I am proud of that work and the many amendments I fought to include, the final bill has significant flaws that prevented me from voting for its passage. “While this bill contains many important reforms – like eliminating wasteful direct payment subsidies, streamlining duplicative programs, and improving access to local, healthy food – it also includes several unacceptable provisions, including deep cuts to nutrition assistance for some of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children and families. I was willing to advance this bill out of committee to give the House a chance to improve it, and am gravely disappointed that this has not happened. “There is no question that Congress needs to pass a Farm Bill, but we need to do it the right way. Moving forward, I hope that members of both parties will continue to seek out common ground so that we can restore vital nutrition assistance funding, improve conservation and energy programs, and provide long-term certainty for the agricultural community.” ### Press Contact: |