WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after voting no in committee, against the Senate Republican drafted Farm Bill this week.
“No one knows better than me how much our farmers and producers in Michigan need a new farm bill, which is out of date with the current hurdles our farmers are facing.
“But I could not support the draft as is because the bill would cost the state of Michigan as much as $300 million. That could result in a big cut to the state of Michigan’s budget and result in further cuts to SNAP. We have asked Republicans for a two- year delay to manage those costs.
“This bill pits farmers against citizens in Michigan, and it doesn’t have to be that way.
“I believe Democrats and Republicans can work together here, and there are many positive things for farmers in this draft, including year-round E15 to help our corn growers and over 25 provisions that I helped champion for Michigan — from helping specialty crop growers like cherries and asparagus, to water conservation and protecting food and farm supply chains from the Chinese Communist Party’s influence.
“I urge Chairman Boozman and Republicans to work with Democrats to reach a compromise that delivers for our farmers this year. We just need to be fair to our states in the process.”
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