Mixed reactions greet Stabenow’s $39B Rural Prosperity Act

DAILY Bites

• Stabenow introduced a $39 billion bill addressing food insecurity and rural support but faces bipartisan criticism.

• Boozman condemned the bill’s timing amid warnings of a “dairy cliff” if no deal is reached by December.

• The proposal has garnered mixed reactions, with support from groups like MAZON and the American Farm Bureau Federation, but criticism from others, including the National Pork Producers Council over unaddressed issues like California’s Prop 12.

DAILY Discussion

On Monday, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the $39 billion Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. The proposal aims to address food insecurity, support rural economies, and strengthen agricultural policies.

The announcement highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the farm bill, as the current extension nears expiration and Stabenow’s opposition (the incoming Republican majority) is poised to take control of the Senate in January.

“The foundation of every successful Farm Bill is built on holding together the broad, bipartisan Farm Bill coalition,” Stabenow said. “This is a strong bill that invests in all of agriculture, helps families put food on the table, supports rural prosperity, and holds that coalition together.”

The bill, spanning 1,400 pages, marks Stabenow’s sixth farm bill. However, it is likely her last, as she plans to retire at the end of this congressional session. 

Her effort faces strong opposition. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the top Republican on the Agriculture Committee and incoming chairman, criticized the timing and content.

“An 11th-hour partisan proposal released 415 days after the expiration of the current farm bill is insulting,” Boozman said. “America’s farmers deserve better.”

If Congress fails to pass the legislation by December’s end, Stabenow warned of reverting to “Depression-era policy,” including a potential “dairy cliff” that would disrupt the pricing structure for dairy products.

The bill addresses key issues like food insecurity and the unpredictable challenges faced by farmers, especially with the increasing impacts of climate change. “I’ve met with families finding it harder and harder to make ends meet as food insecurity in our country continues to grow,” Stabenow said.

Farm organizations and advocacy groups have voiced mixed reactions. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, for example, emphasized the urgency of passing effective policy.

“It’s unfortunate that only a few legislative working days remain for Congress to act, but Farm Bureau remains committed to working with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to achieve federal policy that improves the outlook for farmers and ranchers,” Duvall stated. He also highlighted that farm income has dropped 30 percent over two years, leaving many producers in dire need of federal support.

However, not all groups are supportive. The National Pork Producers Council criticized the proposal, citing its failure to address California’s Prop 12, which regulates breeding pig confinement.

And MAZON, a nonprofit focused on combating hunger, endorsed the bill. “The stakes are simply too high for Congress to do anything less than to support those at risk of hunger,” the organization stated.

The HEAL Food Alliance, a national coalition of health, environment, agriculture, and labor organizations weighed in too. “We’re glad to finally see a measure that reflects the needs of people working across the food system,” said Nichelle Harriott, Policy Director at the HEAL Food Alliance. “Our members have told us again and again that they need a farm bill that includes essential protections for food and farm workers who continue to endure hazardous working conditions and exploitative labor practices, disaster relief for small farmers facing climate-related challenges, and critical safeguards to reduce hunger, including continued support for vital nutrition assistance programs like SNAP. There’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure full equity and sustainability but this bill is a promising step in the right direction.”

The bill’s future remains uncertain as lawmakers face a tight deadline to reach an agreement. With bipartisan cooperation being essential, the outcome of this legislation could shape the landscape of U.S. agriculture and rural prosperity for years to come.