Agricultural News
President Obama Travels to Michigan and Signs 2014 Farm Bill
Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:30:16 CST
President Barack Obama today signed the 2014 Farm Bill into law at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. The law spreads benefits to all famers in every region of the country and in every production sector. The bill also slightly trims the food stamp program.
In remarks delivered before the signing, Obama said the law would help increase jobs, innovation, research and conservation.
The president acknowledged the difficulties in getting the bill passed, but commended Senators Debbie Stabenow and Thad Cochran and Representatives Frank Lucas and Colin Peterson for their efforts.
The bill cuts direct government payments to farmers, but bolsters federal crop insurance. Most of the bill's $100 billion in expenditures, however, are targeted for the food stamp program that serves more than one seventh of all Americans.
The bill garnered bipartisan support in its passage in both the House and Senate, but only Democrats attended today's signing ceremony.
Obama's trip to Michigan to sign the bill was a reward to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow who helped broker the bill's final compromise.
President Obama also mentioned to the assembled crowd that he had lunch with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Duggan took office last month amidst Detroit's bankruptcy filing, the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
Click here to read a transcript or listen to the President's remarks at the signing ceremony.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...