Senate Advances Farm Bill Agreement

Press Release

Date: Feb. 3, 2014
Location: Washington, DC

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted Monday to advance the House-Senate farm bill, which cleared a final procedural hurdle by a vote of 72-22. The five-year farm bill, approved by the House of Representatives last week, is now set for a final vote in the Senate on Tuesday. The bill protects 16 million American jobs supported by agriculture, including 30,000 in Delaware. The farm bill also reduces our deficit by $23 billion by eliminating unnecessary direct payment subsidies, consolidating programs to end duplication, and cracking down on food assistance abuse.

"Agriculture is a vital economic engine for Delaware, and this bill is good for Delaware farmers," Senator Coons said. "I was proud to vote tonight for a comprehensive, five-year farm bill that supports Delaware's farmers and poultry growers, invests in critical conservation and rural energy programs, and preserves nutrition assistance for millions of food insecure Americans. While not perfect, this compromise legislation takes important steps to strengthen America's farm policy and reduce our deficit. I hope my colleagues will join me in approving this bill and providing long-awaited certainty to our farmers in Delaware and across the country."


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