Congressman Pompeo Votes Against Broken Farm Bill

Press Release

Congressman Mike Pompeo issued the following statement following his vote against the farm bill:

"Over the past two years I have worked to craft a Farm Bill that reflects Kansas values, supports Kansas producers, and respects Kansas taxpayers. While this legislation contains some positive provisions--including strengthening crop insurance, ending direct payments, and providing stability for Kansas producers--in total, this bill misses the mark."

Congressman Pompeo warned that the bill would leave Kansas producers vulnerable to global trade disputes while failing to address their concerns about Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration and Country-of-Origin Labeling. "This legislation will cause serious trade and regulatory problems for our state's livestock producers. Washington must not ignore how important livestock is to our Kansas economy."

The Farm Bill remains the Food Stamp bill, too. "This open-ended welfare program continues to make up 80 percent of this bill. That means $800 billion of the $1 trillion legislation is out the door before the first dime is invested in agriculture." The House-passed legislation, which Congressman Pompeo supported, made much needed reforms to this program to help Americans move from dependency to self-sufficiency, while saving taxpayers nearly $40 billion. "Unfortunately, this final bill makes only cosmetic changes to this out of control entitlement program," Congressman Pompeo said.

He concluded: "Last year I voted in favor of a farm bill that was not perfect, but a step forward. Voting against this bill today was not an easy decision, but I believe it reflects a step backward to the old Washington of pet projects, reckless spending, and harmful regulation. I remain committed to ensuring that Kansas farmers, ranchers, co-ops, and other agribusiness have the support they need to compete in the global economy."

He was joined by Senator Pat Roberts, the senior member and former Ranking Member of the Senate agriculture committee. "I am disappointed to say that the negatives of this Farm Bill outweigh the positives. When you look at the policies of this report, we have a return to government subsidies and farmers planting for the government. While we all want to provide certainty to producers, the conference has missed an opportunity for greater and necessary reforms to our nation's farm programs, federal nutrition programs, and burdensome regulations. I cannot march backwards and deliver more spending, more regulations and more waste."

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