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KIND CONCERNED ABOUT SUPER COMMITTEE'S AG PROVISIONS
Monday, November 7th, 2011 -- 9:30 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
A congressman from our area is spearheading the effort to prevent new farm programs from passing through a “super committee” on deficit reduction.
That super committee is tasked with slashing $1.5 trillion in spending between next year and 2021 and has the authority to avoid time-consuming procedures, like debates and amendments; in essence, the committee can fast-track proposals right to the floor of the Senate and House.
But, Kind says a “secret farm bill” is being pushed that doesn’t just cut spending, but creates new programs.
"Some of the programs I am hearing are bad ideas," Kind states, "I don't think they will help and support family farmers, who need it, and will continue to distort the market place and benefit large agribusinesses."
Kind has long maintained there are plenty of areas to cut from the ag appropriations bill. He says there are $5 billion in direct payments to commodity producers being paid during a period of record-high prices.
"That's tough to justify. These payments are going out typically to large agribusinesses...regardless of market prices, regardless of yield. That's not how these programs should be set up," he says.
The committee should make its final recommendations on spending cuts by November 23. Their recommendations will not be amendable.
Kind spearheaded a letter urging the committee to remove new farm spending programs from the table. 27 other lawmakers have signed on.
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