NFU: Tax Reform Plans Jeopardize the Farm Safety Net

The National Farmers Union warns the two tax bills being considered by Congress would jeopardize all funding for farm bill commodity safety net programs. A new Congressional Budget Office analysis of the two bills, being considered this week, says a $1.5 trillion deficit increase would need to be offset by eliminating all funding for vital farm programs. The analysis says those programs include the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says the bill could require 100 percent sequestration of all commodity program payments and other farm bill programs. He says the proposal asks farmers and ranchers to trade possible tax benefits for the elimination of farm safety net payments, calling that a “disastrous trade.”