Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALBERG. Madam Chairman, after months of bipartisan work in the House Agriculture Committee on a farm bill that meets the needs of American farmers without raising taxes, House leadership is inserting a 600 percent tax increase on U.S. subsidiary manufacturers in the 2007 farm bill. Democrats want to slap manufacturers, who employ 5.1 million American workers and pay $325 billion in wages, with a massive tax hike.

As representative of a State and a district where the agricultural and manufacturing industries account for a larger share of employment on average than in the rest of the Nation, this is a double slap in the face.

Many are not aware that Michigan, the auto capital of the world, is second in the Nation in agricultural diversity. Not only do I feel like the months I spent canvassing my district meeting with farmers and members of the agricultural community were for naught, I am also deeply worried about the impact of this proposed tax hike on south central Michigan.

In the Wolverine State, U.S. subsidiaries play a vital role in supporting jobs and employing 201,000 Michiganers.

I just inquire of the other side: Why are we moving away from policies that encourage job development and investment? And what is a tax increase on manufacturers even doing in the farm bill?

The Ag Committee put aside partisan differences and worked together on a bill that meets the needs of American farmers without raising taxes. The House should be voting on that bill, crafted in a bipartisan manner, that meets those needs without foisting this on the public.

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