The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Work with Me
    • Speaking
    • Giveaways
    • Social Media Consulting
    • Sponsored and Guest Posts
  • About Me
    • Media
    • Terms of Use

Freedom Caucus Kills 2018 Farm Bill in the House

May 18, 2018

The 2018 Farm Bill was brought up for a vote in the House of Representatives today, but failed in large part due to the Freedom Caucus.

It appears that members of the so-called Freedom Caucus, a conservative wing of the Republican party, were upset that they did not have a strong enough commitment on immigration reform from House leaders. According to several sources, the Freedom Caucus wanted House leadership to call for a vote on controversial immigration legislation, which everyone agrees does not have the votes to go forward. When that deal did not go forward, the Freedom Caucus dropped support for the Farm Bill.

Democrats previously abandoned the bill after reforms were made to the food stamp side of the legislation, which would require some work requirements for recipients.

Justin Amash (R-Michigan), a member of the Freedom Caucus, tweeted earlier today asking conservatives to vote against the farm bill because it was “corporate welfare.” As I pointed out, what he really was referring to was risk support programs for family farmers that allow us to supply our nation with one of the safest and most nutritious food supplies in the world.

Corporate welfare? I think he means risk support for family farmers that allows us to supply our nation with one of the safest and most nutritious food supplies in the world. Everyone should support it. https://t.co/5Vuvx3HUVZ

— Farmers Daughter (@farmdaughterusa) May 18, 2018

I’m so disappointed by this. I was really hoping that the GOP would be able to quickly and ably pass a Farm Bill through the House. The changes to SNAP were controversial, but the changes on the agriculture side were mostly positive. It would have been nice to have this legislation passed quickly and efficiently so that farmers could be certain about the programs the Farm Bill authorizes. While it may have struggled in the Senate, the House should have been an easy win.

Of course, immigration is another huge issue for agriculture, and needs to be addressed, but there was no reason for the Freedom Caucus to hurt family farmers over their legislation that will never pass.

The Farm Bill is so important, as I’ve written about many times. I hope that the House can get its stuff together and pass legislation – either by placating the Freedom Caucus or reworking the legislation to get Democrats on board.

signature
Share this:
«
»

Filed Under: Farm Bill, Government Affairs Tagged With: farm bill, federal government

Comments

  1. Neil says

    May 19, 2018 at 7:08 am

    I thought the problem issue was SNAP?

    • Amanda says

      May 19, 2018 at 7:14 am

      Not for the Freedom Caucus; they supported the reforms.

      • Neil says

        May 20, 2018 at 7:31 am

        You watch left and get hit from the right.

  2. Judy Stewart says

    May 20, 2018 at 10:55 am

    I had always assumed the Farm Bills were to support the largest farm corporations. Not so?

    • Amanda says

      May 20, 2018 at 11:03 am

      Hi Judy! No, not at all! The Farm Bill provides the basis for all farm programs in the United States. The most important is probably the crop insurance program, which is absolutely vital for so many family farms around the country.

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via Email

Archives

Latest on Facebook

The Farmer's Daughter

3 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

You can't and won't make America healthy by blaming and hindering our family farmers.

... See MoreSee Less

MAHA Report delivers scathing assessment of farm pesticides | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

The new MAHA report, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., links pesticides to rising childhood illness, already drawing criticism from farm groups.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

4 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Do you a plan for your estate? My latest for AGDAILY focuses on potential changes to the federal estate tax.

... See MoreSee Less

Perspective: A farmer's legacy shouldn't be a tax nightmare for their kin

www.agdaily.com

For farm families, estate taxes aren’t just an abstract policy debate -- they’re a very real threat to generational farms and the livelihoods they support.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 month ago

The Farmer's Daughter

If nothing else, this should keep you up at night. Every snake oil salesman is now in charge of HHS.

... See MoreSee Less

How RFK Jr. Is Boosting ‘Food Babe’ and Other MAHA Acolytes

www.wsj.com

The health and human services secretary has elevated lightly regulated wellness companies and allowed advisers to keep investments, after vowing to end conflicts of interest.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 months ago

The Farmer's Daughter

These concepts aren't mutually exclusive.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 months ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Imagine getting to donate a substantial amount of money to a charity of *your* choice and you choose....an animal rights activist group with questionable intentions??

... See MoreSee Less

Why agricultural advocates are lashing out at Celebrity Jeopardy! | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

David Friedberg, founder of The Climate Corporation, is drawing ire for his "charity" of choice on Celebrity Jeopardy!: Humane World for Animals.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

Amanda Zaluckyj

thefarmersdaughterusa

Amanda | The Farmer's Daughter USA
I'm a proud farmer's daughter & advocate for modern agriculture. U.S. farmers are leaders in sustainability.

Perusing my photos from #Denmark and getting the i Perusing my photos from #Denmark and getting the itch to travel again.
These concepts aren't mutually exclusive. #farms # These concepts aren't mutually exclusive. #farms #farmfamily #environment #soilhealth #nutritiousfood
Stop worrying about labels and just eat them! Stop worrying about labels and just eat them!
Corn is a powerhouse! #corn #farming #growcorn # Corn is a powerhouse! 

#corn #farming #growcorn #USAGrown #usagriculture
Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀
The blood moon. 🌙 And proof I woke up at 2:15 a The blood moon. 🌙 And proof I woke up at 2:15 am to see it!
3 years. 💔 #slavaukraini #supporukraine #ukrai 3 years. 💔

#slavaukraini #supporukraine #ukraine #glorytoukraine🇺🇦
Mischa will not suffer a snowman in her yard. ❄️☃️

#dogslife #dogsofinstagram #blacklab #pittiemix #snowday #snowman
We all know RFK, Jr. is well known for vaccine dis We all know RFK, Jr. is well known for vaccine disinformation. But he's also a danger to agriculture, even promising to "weaponize" regulatory agencies against our farm families.

#rfk #farmersdaughter #farmers #conspiracytheories #puremichiganfarm #rfkjr
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs