Press Releases
Huizenga Votes In Support of Farm Bill, Calls For Michigan To Become A "Pilot State" For Self-Sufficiency
Washington,
January 29, 2014
This evening, Congressman Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after voting in support of the Agricultural Act of 2014 which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 251 to 166:
"Today, I joined a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in the House by voting in support of the farm bill. While this legislation is by no means perfect, it makes several steps in the right direction. It cuts $23 billion in mandatory spending, enacts the first reforms to SNAP since 1996, and roots out waste, fraud, and abuse by ensuring that illegal immigrants, lottery winners, and the deceased do not receive benefits. "Additionally, the farm bill establishes a 10 state "welfare to work" pilot program for able-bodied adults. I encourage Michigan to promote self-sufficiency and apply to become a demonstration state for this program. "This economically significant piece of legislation repeals the direct payment program, replaces the Soviet style dairy program with a new voluntary system and strengthens risk management tools for specialty crop producers right here in West Michigan. Agriculture is a vital part of Michigan's economy and this farm bill will help provide the certainty local farmers need to grow and expand." |