NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall, M.D. has a simple theme for what he wants most out of the farm bill that is working its way through the legislative process.
"Crop insurance, crop insurance and crop insurance," Marshall said. "Crop insurance is the backbone of every farm bill. What crop insurance does is allow that farmer who got hailed out last week, to be able to plant next year's crop. They don't make any money off of it, but at least they can plant next year's crop."
Marshall understands that the farm bill has always been a nutrition bill, all he's asking for is help for the farmers that get the food to the market, considerably less than that being proposed for nutrition programs.
"What we've asked for, very specifically, is about a $400 million increase in funding for crop insurance per year," Marshall said. "On the other side of the aisle, we've given the Democrats at least a $60 billion hike in the food stamp program. We gave them $60 billion to help with food stamps, we're asking for $400 million and they are unwilling to give it. To me, it's about priorities."
It looks like the House side may be the first to the line with finished and marked up language and Marshall is looking forward to seeing what comes across.
"I actually think we want to wait and see what we get out of the House," Marshall said. "I think the House bill is going to be much more farmer friendly. If we end up waiting until we have a different person in the White House, or a Republican majority in the Senate, I think we're going to have a farm bill that's much friendlier to rural America."
The current farm bill extension ends Sept. 30, before the November election, but it could be extended again.
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