JONESBORO- Today, Congressman Rick Crawford issued the following statement about the expiration of the current Farm Bill:

“Since my election to Congress I have talked about the importance of passing a Farm Bill that would give farm families in Arkansas and across the country the security they need to continue producing the safest, most affordable and abundant supply of food on the planet. Unfortunately, election year politics have gotten in the way of enacting sound policies on which rural America depends.”

“Nothing is more important to me than passing a five year Farm Bill that gives Arkansas producers the security they need. I was proud to join Democrats and Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee to pass the Farm Bill out of committee. At a time when many Americans have lost faith in the ability of Congress to accomplish great things, the House Agriculture Committee is an example of what can be done when partisan politics are put aside in favor of sound policy.”

In an effort to pass the House Farm Bill, Congressman Crawford:
• Immediately after the House Agriculture Committee passed its Farm Bill in July, I signed a letter to leadership asking them to hold a vote on the Farm Bill. The bipartisan letter garnered over 100 signatures.
• In August I held a Farm Tour in our congressional district to listen to family farmers and advocate for a Farm Bill.
• Since July I have authored numerous op-eds and weekly columns about the need to pass a Farm Bill.
• Many times I have spoken on the House floor about the need to pass a Farm Bill.
• Ultimately, I signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Farm Bill and is helping lead the signature-gathering effort.

“It’s truly a shame that farm policy has become a political wedge issue. Historically farm legislation has been crafted in a bipartisan fashion. The reality is that there is no Republican Farm Bill or Democrat Farm Bill. The major differences in policy are really based on regional crop differences not political parties. The success story of Arkansas and American agriculture can continue if Congress acts to pass sound policies. I can think of no better way to grow our rural economy than by passing a five-year farm bill that would give farm families in Arkansas and across the country the certainty and security they deserve.”

Congressman Rick Crawford represents Arkansas’ First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. In the Congress Crawford serves on the Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Crawford cofounded the Congressional Rice Caucus and the Congressional Chicken Caucus to advocate for the interests of producers in his District. Crawford and his wife Stacy live in Jonesboro with their two children.

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Today, Congressman Rick Crawford issued the following statement about the expiration of the current Farm Bill:

“Since my election to Congress I have talked about the importance of passing a Farm Bill that would give farm families in Arkansas and across the country the security they need to continue producing the safest, most affordable and abundant supply of food on the planet. Unfortunately, election year politics have gotten in the way of enacting sound policies on which rural America depends.”