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Currently, the U.S. Debt is estimated at: Your share of today's public debt is: $44,598.62 |
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Agriculture
Indiana’s Ninth District is home to some of the most beautiful farmland in the country. Not only is agriculture a proud part of Southern Indiana’s history, it is one of our most important resources and must be protected and promoted in order to preserve the strength and viability of our farming community.
Estate Tax
One of the most pressing concerns facing our farmers is the estate tax. Many farms have been in families for generations and this family tradition is part of what makes farming in Indiana so unique. Hoosier farmers should be worried about their crop and livestock and not if they will be able to afford to pass on their legacy to the next generation. This is why I support exempting farms and businesses from the estate tax that will be passed from one generation to another. As long as these farms and businesses remain within a family, they should not be burdened by taxes simply because the guardianship of a family’s legacy is changing hands.
2008 Farm Bill
During the 110th Congress I was happy to support H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007, also known as the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill was signed into law on May 22, 2008. This legislation provides real reforms to protect family farmers and our agricultural heritage. To prevent abuse of agriculture subsidies, the bill bars farmers who make more than $750,000 in annual adjusted gross income from receiving farm and conservation subsidies, and those earning $500,000 from non-farm income from receiving any subsidies. This bill also provides funding for more nutrition programs that attempt to prevent the growing problem of childhood obesity, with large investments in specialty crop production. Lastly, the legislation protects our rural farmlands, while including the modernization of rural America.
During the 111th Congress I will continue to support programs that have traditionally been helpful to Hoosier farmers such as income support and disaster relief, while also seeking to promote programs that offer new potential for Southern Indiana like energy programs, research and development. I also want to ensure that our nation’s agricultural policy is beneficial not only to Hoosier farmers, but also to the less fortunate among us. There are many provisions in the Farm Bill that allow us to offer support to those in need, such as the food stamp program, rural development and disaster relief.
