The Republican-controlled House and Senate Budget committees are expected to include USDA programs among their targets for budget cuts, says the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. “The rumor in D.C. is that the (House and Senate Agriculture) committees will be instructed to cut $20 billion, over 10 years, from the 2014 farm bill.”
While food stamps may the prime target among budget drafters, “cuts to commodity programs, crop insurance, and conservation programs would also be on the table should reconciliation instructions be approved by the Budget committees,” says NSAC.”This will effectively re-open the debate on the 2014 farm bill …” The so-called farm bill coalition of farm, conservation and anti-hunger groups is on record opposing cuts beyond the $23 billion that were part of the new farm law.
According to NSAC, the House Budget Committee is expected to meet on Wednesday and Senate Budget on Thursday; committee leaders could release drafts of their plans on the day before the committees meet.