The more than 14,000 farmers in Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District rely on the safety-net provided by risk management programs contained in the proposed legislation. The provisions for the conservation, energy and rural development titles of the proposed farm bill benefit citizens and communities throughout Indiana, including many in the mostly urban 1st and 7th Congressional Districts, the Farm Bureau statement observed. 

Since the beginning of the current farm bill debate, Indiana farmers have been supportive of efforts to reduce federal spending by curtailing some farm bill programs, specifically direct payments. On the heels of the worst drought in decades, it is more apparent than ever that crop insurance works. Even under these dire circumstances, farmers did not have to come to Congress and ask for disaster assistance.

"We understand that this piece of legislation isn’t perfect, but very few comprehensive proposals are," the statement continued. "Farm Bureau believes securing a strong safety-net is critical for the future of Indiana’s farmers and will continue to work for reforms that reduce spending and protect farmers when they need it most."

Walorski issues statement on House Farm Bill vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02) today released the following statement after the House farm bill vote: 

“It is extremely disappointing that the House could not work together to pass a comprehensive five-year farm bill for the sake of our nation’s agriculture industry. I supported this bill because it would have provided a reliable safety net for our family farmers and small businesses, eliminated direct payments, and strengthened crop insurance to allow predictability for our farmers.   

“While this is not a perfect bill, failure to pass a farm bill is a disservice to our farmers, ranchers, producers, and consumers who are in dire need of certainty from Washington. Moving forward, I will keep working to find common ground and bipartisan solutions to make progress on this bill.”

Donnelly issues statement on House Farm Bill vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Joe Donnelly Thursday released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted on their version of a five-year farm bill and it failed to pass, 195-234. 

“I am disappointed that the House did not pass a version of a five-year farm bill so we could go to a conference committee, work through our differences, and get a bill signed into law. The Senate passed a bipartisan, five-year farm bill that would reduce the deficit and give Hoosier farmers and rural communities the certainty they deserve.  It is time for the House to do the same.”