Salinas, Vasquez Lead Agriculture Committee Democrats in Calling for a Timely Farm Bill

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) led their Democratic colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee in calling on congressional leadership to prioritize passage of a bipartisan Farm Bill – free of any poison pills – as soon as possible.

“Bipartisanship has been, and will continue to be, the foundation of a successful Farm Bill reauthorization. To achieve this success, a proposal must be crafted without needlessly controversial poison pills,” write the members.

The members emphasized that the current Farm Bill draft, which passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in May, does not have a realistic chance of becoming law. They stressed the need for Republican leadership to set aside party politics and work with Democrats to craft a truly bipartisan bill.

“The signatories of this letter are committed to redoubling our efforts to pass an updated Farm Bill that actually has a path to becoming law before the end of this Congress. We ask that you, as congressional and Agriculture Committee leadership, set aside differences and make the same commitment.”  

The members continue: “Kicking the can down the road is no longer acceptable. America’s farmers and families are relying on us to do our jobs now, not later.”
 

Read the full letter below or click here.
                                                                                         

September 11, 2024

Dear Speaker Johnson & Leader Jeffries, Leaders Schumer & McConnell, Chairman Thompson & Ranking Member Scott, & Chairwoman Stabenow & Ranking Member Boozman,

We write today to emphasize the critical need to pass a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill upon our return from the August work period.

The Farm Bill supports a wide variety of agriculture and nutrition programs, all of which are key to maintaining our nation’s robust food systems and to helping families put that food on their tables. Further, maintaining a strong agricultural sector is tantamount to maintaining America’s national security. Strong farms make for a strong nation.

Bipartisanship has been, and will continue to be, the foundation of a successful Farm Bill. To achieve this success, a proposal must be crafted without needlessly controversial poison pills. Both parties have their red-lines, so we must find a middle ground that meets the needs of farmers and families alike. These goals are not mutually exclusive, nor should they be used as partisan talking points that will ultimately prevent further progress on this critical legislation.

While the House Committee on Agriculture passed an attempt at a Farm Bill reauthorization, H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, earlier this year, it remains abundantly clear that this bill does not have a path to the President’s desk. The signatories of this letter are committed to redoubling our efforts to pass an updated Farm Bill that actually has a path to becoming law before the end of this Congress. We ask that you, as congressional and Agriculture Committee leadership, set aside differences and make the same commitment.  

Each one of us has taken countless meetings with stakeholders across the diverse spectrum of Farm Bill interests. These groups all rightfully have their own priorities and interests. Yet, there’s one simple message we have all heard loud and clear: pass a Farm Bill as soon as possible. These groups are willing to make compromises to secure the stability a Farm Bill provides, and we must take the same approach as we lead to prioritize America’s diverse agricultural interests.

Kicking the can down the road is no longer acceptable. America’s farmers and families are relying on us to do our jobs now, not later.

We look forward to working with you to pass a Farm Bill this September.

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