Fiscal group enraged by limits on House farm bill amendments

An amendment written by Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) and backed by conservative groups would have split the food stamp spending from the farm subsidies. 

{mosads}Other amendments would have stopped crop insurance subsidies for wealthy farmers and would have limited the crop insurance premium subsidy to $50,000.

Because the U.S. has not fixed problems with its cotton subsidies faulted by the World Trade Organization, it is paying penalties to Brazil. An amendment stopping the payments and another ending a temporary extension of cotton subsidies were also forbidden by the Rules Committee. 

“The Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation. Instead of jamming this bill through the floor with inadequate debate and attempts at reform, House leadership needs to start over and create a process that allows for more debate and more reform. Taxpayers deserve nothing less,” Ellis said.