House Passes Farm Bill Compromise that Ends Direct Subsidies, Reforms Food Stamps

For Immediate Release

January 29, 2014

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today voted in favor of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 251-163. The bill, HR 2642, saves $16 billion by ending direct subsidy payments to farmers, closes food stamp loopholes to save $8 billion and ensures that rural counties receive funding the federal government owes them under the Payments In Lieu of Taxes program. However, LaMalfa noted that while he believes further reforms are needed, the bill represents a compromise with the Democrat-controlled Senate.

“While I would have preferred a bill that generated more savings and included larger reforms in the food stamp system, I believe that we’ve achieved as much as the Democrat-led Senate will allow. The stability this bill gives California agriculture will be key to helping our farmers and rancher weather the historic drought we’re experiencing, ” said LaMalfa. “We’ve modernized our crop programs by ending market-distorting payments, closed loopholes in the food stamp program to save $8 billion and ensured that our agricultural economy remains stable.” 

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

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