Op-Ed: Jack Sayers: The Senate Democrats’ farm bill is a burden, not a benefit, for rural America
Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s Farm Bill, which she is pressuring Republicans to support, is a misguided disaster for both farmers and taxpayers.
As I drive across Iowa, I’m constantly reminded of the countless family farms I pass — land much like the Sayers family farm, where a few hundred acres are dedicated towards feeding and fueling the world. My family has been farming in Mills County, Iowa for 75 years, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the many challenges our farmers face.
That’s why I’ve always advocated for policies that protect and support our agricultural community, because I truly believe farmers are the heartbeat of this nation. Unfortunately, it seems that outgoing Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) doesn’t share that same belief.
I strongly oppose the Farm Bill that Sen. Stabenow is pressuring Republicans into voting for; it is a misguided and harmful piece of legislation that will do far more harm than good to our rural communities. With a staggering price tag of $1.5 to $1.7 trillion, this bill does almost nothing to support family farmers and instead looks like a legacy project for a retiring senator who is more concerned with appeasing special interest groups than addressing the real needs of American agriculture.
While Sen. Stabenow seeks to satisfy far-left climate activists, an average of 10,000-15,000 farms go bankrupt each year. For families like mine, selling land is always a last resort. Many farmers develop deep connections to the land that has been passed down through generations, and the decision to sell is heart-wrenching. So, what is Sen. Stabenow doing to help these farmers? Absolutely nothing.
From the start, Sen. Stabenow’s bill is a direct assault on the free-market principles that have long made America’s agricultural industry the envy of the world. Instead of reducing the burdens on farmers and encouraging market-driven innovation, this bill throws taxpayer money at an already bloated and inefficient system. Billions of dollars in subsidies and welfare payments will flow to large-scale corporate farms and environmental lobbyists, while the true heart of American agriculture — the family farmer — receives little benefit. This isn’t a bill for producers across our nation; it’s a bill for progressives who have no clue what happens in rural America.
Farmers in Iowa and across the country are some of the most efficient, innovative, and hardworking individuals in the world. Yet, instead of providing real solutions to reduce burdensome regulations or improving access to open markets, Stabenow’s Farm Bill proposes more government intervention. It will increase bureaucratic red tape, stifle growth, and impose even more restrictions on how farmers operate their land. Rather than lifting up farmers and providing them with the tools they need to succeed, this bill entrenches government control in ways that will ultimately hurt rural economies.
What’s worse is the sheer fiscal irresponsibility behind this legislation. As the youngest elected official in Iowa, I know how crucial it is for the government to live within its means. The reckless spending in this bill will drive our national debt higher and put an even greater burden on future generations. The debt crisis is real, and it is my generation that will have to deal with the fallout of Washington’s reckless fiscal policies. While Sen. Stabenow will retire without facing the consequences of this debt, it will be myself, my children, and my grandchildren who will bear the burden.
Instead of prioritizing far-left progressive initiatives and shutting out Republicans from meaningful discussions, Sen. Stabenow should have focused on finding real solutions to the pressing problems our country faces.
Take Iowa, for example—our state is the number one pork producer in the country. After California passed Proposition 12 in 2018, which banned the sale of uncooked whole pork not produced according to the state’s arbitrary housing standards, we’ve seen the devastating loss of 5,000 family hog farms across the nation, and that number continues to rise.
I find it deeply troubling that her version of the Farm Bill did nothing to address Proposition 12, even after pork producers across Iowa and the nation called her office to voice their concerns. Proposition 12 has led to a 20 percent increase in pork prices in California, directly hurting consumers and family farmers alike. Once again, Sen. Stabenow isn’t working for us — she’s working for the progressives in her party.
The bottom line is simple: Sen. Stabenow’s Farm Bill, which she is pressuring Republicans to support, is a misguided disaster for both farmers and taxpayers. It expands government control, misallocates funds, and fails to address the real challenges facing agriculture today.
What we need is a Farm Bill that empowers farmers by strengthening crop insurance, reducing government mandates, increasing reference prices for vital commodities like corn and soybeans, banning foreign adversaries from purchasing American farmland, and ensuring our tax dollars are spent responsibly. Farmers across the nation agree that Congress needs to pass a short-term extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, and wait until common-sense conservative leadership has a federal trifecta in January before passing another 5 year Farm Bill. While Congressional Democrats prioritize Washington bureaucrats and special interests, I’m eager to see Republicans put hard working Americans first.
Jack Sayers is a newly elected member of the Mills County Board of Supervisors in Iowa, representing the interests of a rural community with deep agricultural roots. A lifelong resident of Mills County, Jack comes from a family that has farmed the area for 75 years. Currently pursuing a degree in Healthcare Business at Clarkson College, Jack is passionate about bridging the gap between rural communities and the rest of the country. He is committed to preserving the county's agricultural heritage while working to promote economic growth and enhance essential services for local residents.