U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth

News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449

RURAL AMERICA TARGETED FOR INCREASED CUTS

Herseth Opposes House Ag Committee Cuts to $3.7 Billion in Farm Programs

October 27, 2005, Washington, D.C. – Despite strong opposition from Rep. Stephanie Herseth and the other Democratic members of the House Agriculture Committee, that panel today approved significant cuts to several farm bill programs that will affect funding authorizations for the next several years. The budget resolution enacted by Congress in April called for $3 billion in cuts from agriculture, but Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee chose to enact $3.7 billion in agriculture cuts that will affect commodity, conservation, energy, rural development, research and food stamp programs.

Herseth said, “Rural America is again being unfairly targeted in the budget process. These are significant cuts to vital programs that benefit South Dakota farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. What’s more, these cuts have come despite the fact that the Farm Bill has cost at least $8 billion dollars less than it was projected to when it was enacted in 2002. I will continue to oppose this resolution and will work to see that the conference report restores funding for these crucial programs.”

The specific cuts are:

$1.007 billion from Commodity Programs
$760 million from Conservation Programs
$23 million from Energy Programs
$446 million from Rural Development Programs
$620 million from Research Programs
$884 million from the Food Stamp Program

Herseth added, “What is truly egregious is that this budget is full of misplaced priorities and cuts to necessary and efficient programs, yet still adds to the federal deficit. This year, farmers in South Dakota are facing low commodity prices, sky-high fuel costs, and in many cases, decreased yields on their crops. To cram these cuts into a budget that actually makes our budget deficit larger is misguided and irresponsible.”

The final vote on the measure was 25 Republicans in support, and 20 votes in opposition – 19 Democrats and one Republican.

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Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Resources.

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