WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew made the following statement after the passage of the budget reconciliation bill in the House and Senate.
“We appreciate the efforts of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to include long-overdue investments for family farmers and ranchers in this legislation. The bill strengthens the farm safety net, supports biofuels and conservation, and extends key tax incentives that help keep family farm operations viable. These wins reflect persistent advocacy from our Farmers Union members across the country, who raised their voices during our Week of Action in May.
“However, these gains are paired with harmful tradeoffs. Cuts to SNAP divide the farm bill coalition and reductions in Medicaid will have harmful effects on millions of Americans. Farm policy should unite us. This approach undermines the foundation of the farm bill and puts its future at risk.
“Now, we urge lawmakers to build on these investments and finish the job. A comprehensive farm bill policy is still urgently needed, one that strengthens rural communities, ensures fair markets, and reflects the full scope of challenges facing today’s farm families. We look forward to continuing our work with both House and Senate leaders to get this done.”