House Forms Bipartisan Crop Insurance Caucus

Last week, Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) announced the formation of the bipartisan Congressional Crop Insurance Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. The goal of the caucus is to educate members of Congress and staff on the critical role the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) plays in protecting America’s farmland and farm communities.

In its current form, the FCIP program has been protecting America’s farmland for nearly 40 years and serves as an essential safety net for farmers. Congressional support of the FCIP is critical—which is why the Big “I” was pleased to see its extensive lobbying efforts culminate in a five-year farm bill signed into law in December 2018.

Of note, quoted in the release from Rep. Bustos’ office were Big “I” members Greg and Luke Sandrock of the Cornerstone Agency in Tampico, Illinois. Greg Sandrock serves as the chair of the Big “I” Crop Task Force. The Big “I” also issued its own statement.

The FCIP is a public-private partnership that supports the purchase of crop insurance by farmers to protect against losses due to natural disasters and single-year commodity price declines. Independent agents and brokers play a critical role in the sale and servicing of crop insurance with more than 12,000 insurance agents participating in the program.

Joseph Cortina is Big “I” director of federal government affairs.