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Nebraska Farmers Union |
1305
Plum Street • Lincoln, NE 68502 Contact
John Hansen Office: 402-476-8815, Fax: 402-476-8859, Cell: 402-580-8815 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Immediate Release Washington, D.C.
Contact: Emily Eisenberg John Hansen
202-314-3104 402-476-8815
House Budget Package Bad For Rural America
Nebraska and National Farmers Union Presidents were extremely disappointed with the U.S. House of Representative’s budget vote to cut nearly $3 billion in agriculture spending. Dave Frederickson, National Farmers Union President made the following statements:
“Now is not the time for Congress to cut spending on the backs of America’s hard-working producers and rural communities. The House’s passage of nearly $3 billion in cuts to programs that benefit rural America is the wrong move at the wrong time. This plan will make a bad situation out on the farm even worse.”
“These cuts will place a further burden on our farmers and ranchers who are already struggling due to low commodity prices, skyrocketing energy costs, and devastating weather conditions.”
John Hansen, President of the Nebraska Farmers Union made the following statements:
“While farm program spending makes up less than one half of one percent of the federal budget, this budget package forces farmers and ranchers to take more than nine percent of all federal spending reductions. That is clearly unfair. The $39 billion in budget cuts will take money from programs that help the poor, including nearly $3 billion in farm programs for family farmers struggling to pay their bills and take care of their families. These budget cuts are being made to offset nearly $70 billion in tax breaks that will primarily benefit the richest 5% of our citizens. This Robin Hood in reverse approach to balancing our national checkbook that Congress just passed tells us that it is time rural America should be looking for new leadership in Congress.”
“Nebraska is the fourth largest agricultural producing state in the nation. These budget cuts will hurt our farmers, rural communities, and our state. Farmers are facing soaring energy costs for spring fieldwork and fertilizer. Many areas are still short on rainfall, some with severe water shortages. Our grain prices are disastrously low for our crops. The House passed the budget on a 216-214 vote with 216 Republicans voting for it. 200 Democrats, 13 Republicans, and one Independent voted against it. Two Republicans and one Democrat did not vote. Congressmen Lee Terry, Jeff Fortenberry, or Tom Osborne could have cast the deciding vote against this unfair budget, but failed to do so. We needed help, and unfortunately, did not get it.”