Lugar amendment challenges priorities

During the Agriculture Committee farm bill debate on October 24, 2007, Senator Lugar introduced an amendment that would have reduced direct farm payments 6.5 percent to pay for improvements in the Food Stamp and Emergency Food Assistance Programs.

Though most committee members spoke in favor of the nutrition increases, they were not willing to reduce the direct payments that go to a select few farmers of cotton, rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans. The Committee defeated the amendment 17-4. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Robert Casey (D-PA) joined Lugar in voting for it.

In closing comments, before the committee approved the farm bill by voice vote, several members said they wanted to work to fund the Lugar amendment.

Senator Lugar will offer the alternative reform farm bill, S. 2228, the FRESH Act, in the full Senate debate.

Watch the debate:

• Senator Lugar introduces the amendment
• The Committee debates the amendment
• Senator Lugar responds to the debate
• The Committee further debates the amendment
• Senator Lugar responds to the debate and calls for a roll call vote
• The vote: the amendment fails 4 to 17*
  *Senator Mitch McConnell was incorrectly recorded as opposing the measure