Farm Programs Escape Axe in Congressional Budget Resolutions
April 9, 2015
Efforts to target farm program spending in the congressional budget process sputtered out in March, as separate House and Senate budget resolutions made no significant changes in the farm bill approved early last year.
The House and Senate moved forward during the month with budget plans for fiscal year 2016. While initial proposals could have reduced funding for programs that benefit the dairy industry, the final Senate budget resolution required no additional cuts from agriculture and the House resolution included only very modest reductions.
In a letter protesting any dramatic changes in the farm bill’s spending allocation, NMPF and other farm groups reminded congressional leaders that the farm bill and the new Margin Protection Program for dairy already reduced federal spending on agriculture.
A compromise House-Senate budget resolution for fiscal year 2016 remains questionable. Regardless, programs benefiting dairy farmers are likely protected.
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