Says Dairy Farmers Deserve Certainty

With the nation’s Farm Bill set to expire on September 30, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin today joined a bipartisan effort in the House of Representatives to force a vote on a new five-year Farm Bill.

Baldwin has pressed repeatedly for a Farm Bill that reforms programs, strengthens farm safety nets and gives farmers long term certainty. She is opposed to an extension of the existing Farm Bill which contains wasteful spending, including direct payments to millionaires and billionaires.

“Congress must not break from its current session until farmers have a new Farm Bill and the certainty that it will provide. The clock is ticking and there’s simply no more time for political game playing,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. The Senate has already passed a bipartisan bill and the House version sits in limbo awaiting a vote.

“Wisconsin dairy farmers are suffering greatly from low milk prices and the recent drought. Both the House and Senate bills contain serious reforms to our nation's dairy policy. These reforms need a full and thoughtful debate to ensure that we move in the right direction for Wisconsin farmers,” Baldwin said.

The Farm Bill authorizes all federal farm programs, including those of critical importance to Wisconsin farmers. Among its provisions are the dairy safety net, the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program, which provides important, limited support for Wisconsin dairy farmers; crop insurance; and federal efforts to increase agricultural exports.