News

McCaskill on farm bill

While the Senate farm bill that passed this week eliminates direct payments, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill says behind the scenes there is a push-back from large corporate farms to keep them. She calls it “huge gravy for those big operations” with contractual arrangements that make money off the government even when prices are high.

“It is totally unacceptable in this budget climate and we need to stop it. We are reforming it by putting in a more aggressive crop insurance program, which is still very generous. But, it’s going to save billions and billions of dollars in direct payments. And, frankly, I’ve really not gotten any push-back from the farmers in Missouri about ending the direct payments.”

McCaskill, a Democrat and Republican Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted for the Farm Bill. McCaskill says the attitude of the House, though, is hard to figure out.

“The parts of my state that really care about this are all represented by Republicans, who are in the majority in the House. And, for the life of me I can’t figure out why they are unwilling to pass a farm bill.”

The House did not take up the farm bill last year but there have been indications from Speaker John Boehner this year that the House will begin debate on a farm bill soon.

House Speaker John Boehner announced this morning he would vote for the farm bill.

  • Senator McCaskill is truly a divider and she works hard at stirring up rumors and confrontations where none exist. It is rather surprising that she even commented on the the Farm Bill since she spends so little time on farms getting to know her agriculture constituents. She votes they way she is told to vote by her party and the Whitehouse instead of the way her agriculture constituents ask her to vote. She only wishes she had as much constituent support as the House Republicans she denigrates in her off base comments.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!