Congress takes up reauthorization of major farm programs that expired October 1

As Congress debates measures that will end the government shutdown, the House and Senate are also negotiating a Farm Bill--a major piece of legislation that would set the nation's farm policy for the next five years. The current Farm Bill expired on October 1st and House and Senate negotiators will be working next week on a new version of the bill that they hope to pass and send to President Obama. In a vote last night, the House endorsed a proposal originally submitted by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree that would limit crop subsidies for farmers who have an adjusted gross income ofover $750,000 a year.

"The whole idea of crop subsidies was to help struggling farm families make it through difficult years but the program has turned into a windfall for big, wealthy agribusinesses. There is no justification for sending big premium subsidy checks to farmers making three quarters of a million dollars a year," Pingree said. "There are better ways to help farmers get through tough times."

Video of Pingree speaking on the floor of the US House last night in support of the bill

Pingree's proposal to limit crop insurance subsidies to the wealthiest producers first surfaced in an amendment that she sponsored along with Republican Congressman Richard Hanna of NY. Today the House unanimously endorsed that proposal as negotiators began the process of finalizing the Farm Bill.