Conservative Caucus Seeks Farm Bill Cuts

A conservative caucus within the House, known as the Republican Study Committee, has released a budget proposal that would gut major portions of the farm bill. In addition to food stamp reform, the proposal calls for the elimination of commodity support programs, the sugar program, the dairy program and higher prices for organic crops under crop insurance. This caucus has more than 150 members, which may hurt Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway’s bid to get the necessary 218 votes for passage of the new farm bill.