Yesterday, Grassley went to the House floor to work with Rep. Nick Smith of Michigan to gain House support for the measure sponsored by Smith.
"This is great news for family farmers," Grassley said. "This vote gives Senate negotiators the green light to maintain the Senate position and not back down one inch. It should also serve as a wake-up call for House negotiators not to shortchange the family farmer."
At the end of last week, reports out of the conference committee indicated that Senate Democrat conferees wanted to increase the payment limit of $275,000 to a total cap of $560,000. Current law limits payments to $460,000.
"If Congress doesn't set credible payment limits in this farm bill, then we're making family farmers more vulnerable to greater resistance from the public to helping family farmers in the future. Ultimately, that could mean so-long to the safety net and, in turn, the family farmer."