At press time, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 2, “the Agriculture and Nutrition Act,” by Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), as well as a damaging amendment to the crop insurance program. The House is expected to vote on the crop insurance amendment this evening with the vote on final passage of the bill likely tomorrow.

While the Big “I” is cautiously optimistic that the crop insurance amendment will fail, it is unclear if the overall bill will pass the House. Controversy related to the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and other issues, including crop insurance and subsidies for commodities such as sugar, are making it hard to predict how the final vote on the bill will turn out and the vote is expected to be a close one.

For the crop insurance provisions of the Farm Bill, the underlying bill makes only minor changes to the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP). But, an amendment introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-California) would effectively eliminate the crop insurance program.

Specifically, the amendment would (1) phase out premium discounts to farmers by 10% per year, with complete elimination in 2030; (2) phase out the administrative and operating payments made for private sector delivery of crop insurance by 10%t per year, with complete elimination in 2030; and (3) require a new Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) be negotiated, among other things. The SRA is the operating agreement that insurers and agents enter with the federal government to service the FCIP.

Given the drastic nature of the amendment, the Big “I” is cautiously optimistic that it will be defeated. But the Big “I” is actively opposing Rep. McClintock’s amendment and any amendments to the Farm Bill that would increase the cost of crop insurance to farmers; reduce the number of farmers eligible for crop insurance and thereby destabilize the FCIP risk pool; or weaken the efficient and effective private sector delivery of crop insurance ahead of votes in the House.

The Big “I” and over 47 Big “I” state and local associations joined a letter with more than  400 insurance, banking, and agricultural groups to send a letter to every member of the House urging them to oppose amendments such as the Rep. McClintock amendment.  The Big “I” is also participating in social media outreach campaigns and is doing targeted Hill outreach to members of Congress who have raised concerns about or are undecided on supporting the FCIP.

The Big “I” supports the FCIP, as crop insurance is critical for the security of America’s economy and food supply. The crop insurance program is an example of a successful private-public partnership and independent agents play a vital role. The Big “I” will continue to update members on the status of the Farm Bill and the FCIP through News & Views in the coming weeks.