Boyda Joins Veto-Proof Majority in Backing the Farm Bill

From the Hutch News:

Democrat Nancy Boyda, of Topeka, said the bill is far from perfect, but called the measure a reasonable compromise that won the backing of most major farm groups, including the Kansas Farm Bureau.

"I think we all worked to restore those cuts to direct payments, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking that direct payments were slashed," Boyda said. "Over 10 years you'll see less than one half of a percent of the direct payments cut, which I'm not saying is a good thing, but we just need to keep it in perspective."

"The farm groups are not happy about it, but it could have been worse and they know it," Boyda said.

The Farm Bill, which is our national safety net for our farmers, has been delayed for months by threats of vetoes from the president and endless partisan bickering, will provide support to millions of farmers nationwide. While the bill isn't perfect, it's seen as the best that could be done in the present political climate in Washington.

Kansas Farm Bureau President Steve Baccus said his group supported the bill, despite some misgivings, and encouraged the state's delegation to vote for it.

"We don't like the fact that they had cuts to direct payments and cuts to federal crop insurance which is extremely important to our folks," Baccus said. "At the same time, we've gone though a lengthy process of negotiations and this bill is just a compromise. We feel like under the current scenario with the current administration and the current Congress, it's probably the best deal we could work out."

The bill thankfully cut payments to single farmers with an annual income of $750,000 or more, or to married farmers with an annual income of $1.5 million.