The letter comes following recent news stories which have indicated that Pelosi and the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee had not reached an agreement on payment limits language to include in the House Farm Bill.
“The bottom line is that under the current budget situation we cannot continue justifying to the American public, and the urban members of the House, the high amount of subsidies going to only the largest farms,” Grassley said. “We’re leaving those who need the most help empty-handed.”
Grassley and Dorgan introduced legislation in May. The bill would set a limit of $250,000 for farm payments in an attempt to better target farm program payments to family farmers. Specifically, the bill caps direct payments at $20,000; counter-cyclical payments at $30,000; and marketing loan gains (including forfeitures), loan deficiency payments, and commodity certificates at $75,000.
Here’s a copy of the letter.
July 17, 2007
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
Unites States House of Representatives
H-232
Washington, DC20515
Dear Madam Speaker:
We are asking that you work to include farm payment limitation language in the House version of the 2007 farm bill. You have been instrumental in your past votes and current stand that 10 percent of farmers should not receive 72 percent of benefits from the farm program.
This year we are faced with budget shortfalls and the need to find offsets. The Dorgan-Grassley bill, S.1486 would save around $700 million over five years. Our language would achieve the important goal of placing a hard cap on farm payments and allow these saving to be applied to other necessary programs.
We admire your strong position on this important issue and look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Byron Dorgan Chuck Grassley
United States Senator United States Senator