ATR Issues Farm Bill Key Votes including YES Vote on Foxx Sugar Modernization Amdt

Later today, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on amendments to H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. ATR’s full list of key votes is below.

ATR Urges YES Vote on Foxx Sugar Modernization Amendment to the Farm Bill

Amendment #32, introduced by Representative Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) reforms and modernizes the U.S sugar program. ATR urges a YES vote on the Foxx amendment.

The Foxx amendment repeals and reforms several trade restrictions and import quotas. The proposal also implements market reforms to ensure taxpayer funds are more responsibly spent.

For too long, American consumers, workers and taxpayers have been harmed by sugar subsidies. Every year, Americans spend between $2.4 and $4 billion more on sugar than market prices dictate because of subsidization of sugar. [Read more]

ATR Urges YES Vote on Biggs Amendment to Repeal Bioenergy Subsidy Programs

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) has introduced an amendment (#10) to repeal the bioenergy subsidy programs as established in Title IX of the 2002 farm bill. Voting for the Biggs amendment would stop the government from propping up failing alternative energy with taxpayer dollars. ATR urges a YES vote on this amendment.

ATR Urges YES Vote on Banks Amendment to Repeal Obama-Era WOTUS Rule

Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) has introduced an amendment (#16) to repeal the harmful Obama-Era EPA “Waters of the United States” rule. WOTUS allows the federal government to regulate private property wherever water could conceivably flow, a blatant example of property rights abuse. Voting for the Banks amendment would allow private property owners to manage their land without endless government overreach. ATR urges a YES vote on this amendment.

ATR Urges YES Vote on Davidson Amendment to Tighten Control Over USDA Funds

Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH) has introduced an amendment (#96) that would instruct the USDA to distribute employment and training funds based on actual usage of the program rather than eligibility. Any unused funds would then be sent back to the Treasury. ATR urges a YES vote on this amendment.

ATR Urges YES Vote on McClintock Amendment to Amend SNAP Work Requirements

Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA) has introduced an amendment (#102) that would strengthen the welfare reform that already exists in the farm bill. Specifically, this amendment repeals geographic area waivers to allow states to exempt only 5% of SNAP recipients, set the same hour per week work requirement for married parents as for single parents, exempt parents of children under 3 instead of children under 6, and require participants in training programs to go through E-Verify. ATR urges a YES vote on this amendment.