Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN05) provided the following statement on the passage of H.R.2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, through the U.S. House of Representatives:
Brooks
“Agriculture is the backbone of our nation’s economy. America’s farmers and ranchers are responsible for producing our food supply and work hard to ensure that it is safe, abundant and affordable. Unfortunately, farmers across the country are suffering from a declining agricultural economy, with net farm income down almost 50 percent over the past four years. Food security is national security, and after facing years of natural disasters and distorted global markets, rural America needs relief more than ever.
I am proud the 2018 Farm Bill provides farmers the relief and resources they deserve. H.R. 2 protects crop insurance, a critically important tool for farmers. It improves conservation programs and upholds vital commodity programs, including corn, soybean and other top commodities produced in Indiana. It also maintains vital nutrition assistance for people in need while making a historic commitment to helping food stamp (SNAP) recipients escape poverty and pursue the American Dream, improving their overall outlook in life.
Policies like tax reform have enabled the opening of more than six million jobs across the country, and I am proud this bill helps work-capable people transition from the sidelines into jobs that have the possibility to turn into life-long careers.”
Background
Our nation’s farmers are hurting. With net farm income dropping by nearly 50 percent over the past four years, the agricultural economy has experienced the largest four-year percentage drop since the Great Depression. America’s farmers and ranchers are feeding more people with fewer resources than ever before and are making conscious decisions to keep agriculture sustainable for generations to come.
The Farm Bill is the federal government’s primary tool for agriculture and food policy. Every five years, Congress must pass a Farm Bill to ensure critical agricultural and food programs are updated and reauthorized.
The 2018 Farm Bill:
- Provides farmers with the reassurance they need to continue producing and delivering the world’s safest, most abundant and affordable food supply in the world;
- Supports and enables significant investment in emerging conservation practices;
- Renews and protects crop insurance, a critically important safety net for Hoosier farmers;
- Repeals the harmful and burdensome Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, providing regulatory certainty and relief;
- Reauthorizes crucial commodity and conservation programs; and
- Strengthens work requirements already existing in Indiana, which only apply to work-capable adults between the age of 18 and 59 who are not seniors, not individuals with disabilities, not children, not caregivers and not pregnant women.