Senate Republicans Embrace Framework That Puts More Farm in the Farm Bill

WASHINGTON --U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) unveiled the Senate Republican Farm Bill Framework to a wave of vocal support from his colleagues who have praised the framework's focus on putting more farm in the farm bill as a real path forward toward a bipartisan farm bill.

"Ranking Member Boozman put forward a Republican Farm Bill Framework that would give our colleagues a good place to start. The Ranking Member's plan reflects the actual reality of owning and operating a farm today. And it addresses the biggest bone of contention among American producers: Less fluff, and more farm in the farm bill. From bolstering the farmer safety net… To expanding our competitiveness in world markets… To providing new producers with the means to get off the ground. I've served on the Agriculture Committee my entire time in the Senate - I know drafting this legislation is never easy. And I'm grateful to the Ranking Member for his work on this important issue. I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will look to this framework for guidance as we work to deliver certainty and stability to America's farmers." - Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (06/12/24)

"I am tremendously grateful to Senator Boozman for his work on this framework and his efforts to move the farm bill process forward. And I hope that my Democrat colleagues will approach pursuing a bipartisan agreement on this legislation with a new seriousness. As I said earlier, their focus on non-farm priorities has slowed progress on the farm bill. And I hope that the House's recent work and Senator Boozman's efforts will encourage them to focus on what should be the substance of any farm bill - namely, the farm." - Senate Republican Whip John Thune (06/12/24)

"Farmers, especially our producers and folks in rural communities across Iowa, are long overdue for an updated farm bill, and Senate Republicans are working to deliver one. Instead of Democrats' far left agenda that fixates on Green New Deal priorities and out of control spending at the expense of the farm safety net and producers, Republicans are truly putting more 'farm' in the farm bill." - Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair Joni Ernst (06/11/24)

"I appreciate Senator Boozman putting forward this framework, which is all about keeping the farm in the farm bill and includes a wide range of priorities we've been advancing to invest in the continued success of our producers. Our farmers and ranchers provide the highest-quality, lowest-cost food supply in the world. Given the challenges and rising input costs they face today, it only makes sense to invest in the farm safety net to maintain our nation's food security now and into the future." - Sen. John Hoeven (06/11/24)

"It's past time to act and move past the outdated 2018 Farm Bill. The framework offered by Senator Boozman should help move our committee toward completing a new farm bill this year, one that is bipartisan and fiscally responsible. The framework recommends important reforms to help American farmers and ranchers handle declining incomes, market volatility, historic inflation, record-high input costs, catastrophic natural disasters, animal disease outbreaks, and global tensions. Overall, it provides answers to so many of the recommendations we've heard in hearings over the past few years to put more 'farm' in the farm bill." -- Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (06/11/24)

"Today's Republican farm bill framework is an excellent proposal that puts 'farm' back in the farm bill. Ranking Member John Boozman and House Ag Committee Chairman Thompson have done a great job listening to groups in the barnyard and grain bin, putting together a serious proposal that prioritizes our rural communities." -- Sen. Roger Marshall (06/11/24)

"Every time I visit Alabama, I hear from farmers who are struggling to stay afloat in Joe Biden's economy. They need a farm bill that will help them shoulder the immense burden of feeding, fueling, and clothing our country-not a woke laundry list of burdensome climate regulations. Unlike the $1.5-trillion-dollar-giveaway from Senate Democrats, the Republican Farm Bill Framework actually puts farmers first. Our framework would increase reference prices, expand access to capital, and boost market opportunities. I'm glad to see that the Farm Bill passed out of the House Ag Committee with bipartisan support, and hope this will spark the Senate Ag Committee to take action." -- Sen. Tommy Tuberville (06/12/24)

"Nebraskans want more 'farm' in the farm bill, and that's what this framework delivers. By strengthening risk management tools like crop insurance, increasing our investment in locally-led conservation programs, doubling funding for trade promotion programs, investing in research, and increasing funding for critical animal health programs, this vision provides the tools necessary for American agriculture to thrive." - Sen. Deb Fischer (06/11/24)

I am encouraged that Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Boozman has released his farm bill framework. Senator Boozman and I had a wonderful visit in Alaska last year where he got to see the challenges farmers and fishermen face in in our state. Senator Boozman's farm bill framework shows he heard us loud and clear. Whether it's expanding farm credit to fishing industry support businesses, better understanding how USDA can help bolster domestic seafood processing, or providing additional support for increasing food processing opportunities and rural development, it looks like we're on the right track. But there is more to discuss-particularly about supporting nutrition-and I look forward to seeing more specifics soon. This framework is only the beginning, and I will continue to advocate for the inclusion of more Improving ARCTIC Act provisions. I hope that this proposal kicks discussions into high gear, so we can get this done." - Sen. Lisa Murkowski (06/11/24)

"The farm bill framework does exactly what farmers in Kansas and throughout the country have asked for: it puts more farm in the farm bill by bolstering crop insurance, modernizing the farm safety net, expanding market access and development programs, maintaining locally led conservation programs and investing in our rural communities." - Sen. Jerry Moran (06/14/24)

"Ensuring the strength of our agriculture sector is critical for Nebraska and for our country. That's because agriculture is the heart and soul of our state. A comprehensive farm bill should support our farmers and ranchers. This framework does that. I'm grateful to Ranking Member Boozman for incorporating so much of what Senator Fischer and I shared with him during his visit to Nebraska. I hope my Democratic colleagues will join us in supporting this framework." - Sen. Pete Ricketts (06/14/24)

Click here to read more about the framework and find title by title highlights.

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