06/25/78 Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) today made the following statement after voting for the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, a bipartisan farm policy bill:
“Hoosier farmers and agricultural producers are among the best in the world and this bill ensures they will have the certainty they need to maintain and expand operations over the next five years,” said Coats. “Given our nation’s fiscal situation, this farm bill also contains significant cost savings while ensuring our farmers have a broad safety net in the event of a natural disaster.”
Coats supported two amendments that would have ended federal subsidies for sugar, but both amendments failed. Coats also is a supporter of legislation introduced by Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) to end sugar subsidies.
“I am disappointed that the elimination of sugar subsides was not included in the final farm bill,” added Coats. “Continuing this failed policy will cost American jobs, punish consumers and hurt our food manufacturers.”
Additionally, Coats supported an amendment that would force the Obama administration to provide Congress with its plan for implementing the required automatic budget sequestration cuts for Fiscal Year 2013.
“The Obama administration failed to create a serious financial plan for our country, which has left us with automatic budget cuts that endanger our national security,” said Coats. “I am pleased Congress passed legislation today that increases transparency by requiring the administration to provide the American public with details on how it plans to implement these automatic spending cuts.”
The farm bill passed the Senate 64 to 35.
