Big ‘I’ Urges Congress to Reject Crop Insurance Cuts

To continue its efforts to protect the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP), the Big “I” sent a letter to both Senate and House Budget and Appropriations Committee chairmen urging them to reject calls for additional cuts within the jurisdiction of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. The letter asks leaders to oppose any additional cuts to the FCIP during the fiscal year 2017 appropriations process, as well as proposals to re-open any title of the Farm Bill during the consideration of the 2017 Budget Resolution.

The letter reminds Congress that the 2014 Farm Bill, which passed with bipartisan support, significantly contributed to deficit reduction. The Farm Bill was estimated to contribute $16 billion to deficit reduction over 10 years. That budget resulted in numerous reforms made to the farm safety net, conservation programs and nutrition assistance programs. Some of the reforms from the Farm Bill are still being implemented.

The letter also highlights the fact that the Farm Bill comprises just 2% of the total federal budget. While the entire farm safety net constitutes less than one third of 1% of the overall budget, the bill makes a noteworthy contribution to deficit reduction. The Congressional Budget Office now projects crop insurance will come in $6 billion under budget over the fiscal year 2014-2023 period covered by the 2014 Farm Bill.

Protecting crop insurance as the linchpin of the farm safety net will continue to be a priority for the Big “I” and it will be addressed at the upcoming Legislative Conference. Big “I” grassroots showed its strength by helping reverse the $3 billion in cuts made to the crop program in the 2016 Budget Agreement. It will continue to advocate on behalf of this important risk management tool for farmers and ranchers across the country.

Jen McPhillips is Big “I” assistant vice president of federal government affairs.