Reps. Mooney, Ogles, Miller, Mace, Mast, and Biggs Oppose Increase in Reference Prices in Farm Bill
In a bold move, U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, along with Reps. Ogles, Miller, Mace, Mast, and Biggs, have sent a strong message to Agriculture Committee leaders in the U.S. House and Senate: “Now is not the time” to increase reference prices in the upcoming Farm Bill.
The call to action comes in response to pressure from special interest groups advocating for higher reference prices, which could potentially drive up inflation even further. The group of representatives, led by Rep. Mooney, emphasized the need to resist costly attempts to expand government intervention in the free market, especially during a time when federal spending needs to be reduced.
Various experts and organizations have voiced their support for the stance taken by Rep. Mooney and his colleagues. Joshua Sewell from Taxpayers for Common Sense highlighted the record levels of farm subsidies and farm income in recent years, questioning the necessity of further increasing subsidies through higher reference prices.
David Ditch from The Heritage Foundation pointed out that irresponsible deficit spending by the federal government has already contributed to inflation and rising interest rates, making it crucial to avoid additional inflationary pressure from increased reference prices.
Nan Swift from the R Street Institute commended the representatives for their leadership against reference price hikes, noting that the agriculture industry is thriving with high net incomes and decreasing bankruptcy rates, making it unnecessary to add to the national debt with unnecessary subsidies.
The National Taxpayers Union, FreedomWorks, and other organizations also expressed their support for the opposition to reference price increases, emphasizing the importance of controlling government spending and avoiding further inflation.
The letter sent by the representatives highlighted that increasing price guarantees in the Farm Bill would primarily benefit a small number of farms in specific states, limiting the overall impact on American farmers. With the majority of subsidies going to a select few farms, the representatives argued that increasing reference prices would not effectively support the broader agricultural community.
Overall, the message from Rep. Mooney and his colleagues is clear: now is not the time to increase reference prices in the Farm Bill. With support from various experts and organizations, they are advocating for a commonsense approach that prioritizes fiscal responsibility and supports the majority of American farmers.
