Garamendi Stands with More than 500 Agricultural Organizations Against Divisive Form of Farm Bill that Will Never Become Law

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Agriculture Committee, today voted against a flawed version of the farm bill that will never be considered by the U.S. Senate. More than 500 organizations sent a letter to Speaker Boehner in opposition to the bill, including the California Farm Bureau, National Farm Bureau Federation, American Association of Crop Insurers, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Ducks Unlimited, Family Farm Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, and Western Growers. Several weeks ago, Garamendi voted for the version of the farm bill that was supported by the House Agriculture Committee.

He issued the following statement:

“The California Farm Bureau, along with over 500 of America's agriculture, forestry, finance, environmental, energy and crop insurance organizations, opposed the highly controversial and divisive version of the farm bill that passed the House of Representatives today on a narrow, partisan vote (216-208). The bill separated the farm and food programs resulting in the destruction of a longstanding and successful coalition of farm, food, and environmental programs.

“I share the concerns of this diverse coalition and therefore voted no on the bill. I am committed to the passage of a farm bill that fully meets the needs of agriculture and the food security requirements of this country, and I will continue fighting for this. In turn, Congress must work together to provide a bipartisan, comprehensive farm bill that will pass the House and the Senate and ultimately be signed by the President.”