Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
President Bush will veto the new farm bill, says U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.Shortly after the leaders of the farm bill conference committee announced the completion of the bill Thursday, Schafer issued a statement criticizing the bill and promising a presidential veto.
"Today, the United States House and Senate announced the completion of a farm bill that unfortunately fails to include much needed reform and increases spending by nearly $20 billion," stated Schafer. "At a time of record farm income, Congress decided to further increase farm subsidy rates, qualify more people for taxpayer support, and move programs toward more government control. We should not remove farm commodities from market forces and make them dependent upon government support programs."
Schafer cited farm program payment caps that had been recently agreed upon in the conference committee as a failure to reach necessary reform. "Americans appreciate our farms and ranchers and understand the uncertainties and risks that farming presents," he stated. "However, they do not understand why their taxes should be used to provide payments to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of $500,000 and higher, some of the wealthiest people in America."
Schafer also stated his concern about a "lengthy list of extraneous provisions that are not related to farm programs and have no place in this legislation. For a year and a half, the administration has been consistently clear that Congress needs to move forward with a good farm bill that the president can sign. They have failed to do so. This legislation lacks meaningful farm program reform and expands the size and scope of government. I have visited face-to-face with our president and he was direct and plain. The president will veto this bill."
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, shot back with a response to Schafer's statement Thursday afternoon. "“Farmers in Iowa and around the country are beginning to plant for the season. Here in Washington, Congress is fulfilling its promise to enact a farm bill that’s good for all America – farming families and rural communities, nutrition assistance for low-income Americans, fresh fruits and vegetables for school children, more sources of renewable energy and conservation of our natural resources and a disaster program," stated Harkin.
“Like any compromise bill resulting from hard bargaining among regional and other interests, this farm bill is far from perfect. But no piece of legislation is. It includes significant reforms, as well as these major advances," stated Harkin. "It deserves the President’s signature. Inexplicably, the White House seems intent on destroying the harvest just as the seeds are being planted."
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter