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Stabenow criticizes budget cuts, loss of rural development post

In opening remarks at today’s Senate Ag Committee’s hearing on the farm economy, ranking member Debbie Stabenow criticized the budget cuts proposed by the Trump Administration.

Stabenow said farmers and rural communities have already done their part to reduce the federal deficit.

“In the 2014 farm bill, we made responsible, bipartisan reforms to cut 23 billion dollars,” Stabenow said. “The farm economy was in a much better place and the bill is still estimated to save 80 billion dollars more than expected.”

Stabenow said she’s also concerned about the elimination of the USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development position.

“The combination of devastating budget cuts to critical services and the planned elimination of the Undersecretary for Rural Development sends a powerful message that this White House is not concerned with the needs of America’s small towns and rural communities.”

AUDIO: Excerpt from Senator Debbie Stabenow’s opening remarks