Earlier this week, the Big “I” joined a long list of insurance, commodity, farm, environmental and lending groups in sending two letters opposing cuts to the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) during this year’s budget process. The first letter went to Secretary Sunny Perdue, who leads the USDA; the second letter went to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Budget Committees.

President Trump’s proposed budget is expected next month, and historically has included suggested cuts to the FCIP. The letters note that “crop insurance is a linchpin of the farm safety net” and that it would not make sense to entertain cuts to the FCIP when the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill just reaffirmed the importance of crop insurance less than two months ago. 

Protecting the FCIP will be a top issue members bring to the Hill during this year’s Big “I” Legislative Conference. Other issues this year include the NFIP, TRIA, data security and privacy, health care, and insurance regulatory reform. Register online by March 8 for early-bird pricing.

Jennifer Webb is Big “I” federal government affairs counsel.