Kreitlow calls for

action on farm bill

Congressional candidate Pat Kreitlow called for Congress to pass a comprehensive farm bill. After a five-week recess, Congressman Duffy returned to Washington without any action to pass such a bill.

The Senate passed a bill to help enforce a safety net for our farmers and ensure that the group of people responsible for one of the most essential components of our society would remain strong.

It has been sitting and waiting for its chance in the House of Representatives for two months during the worst summer drought in recent memory.

"The farm bill is a jobs bill for northern and central Wisconsin," said Pat Kreitlow. "This is the heart of America's Dairyland, and agriculture is essential to our way of life, pocketbooks and values here in Wisconsin. According to a 2011 report, agriculture contributes $4.6 billion in income to the counties in the 7th district, and is responsible for over 10 percent of jobs in half of those counties. Over 88,000 agriculture and food processing jobs in the 7th district need results from Washington. One year extensions and ad hoc bills aren't going to get us a farm policy that better serves and protects our family farmers and communities. Every Member of Congress from Wisconsin should be working around the clock to pass laws that provide long-term security for our farms, regardless of political affiliation."

"The failure to pass a farm bill is a case study in how members like Congressman Duffy have no interest in governing. This Congress' focus on partisan politics and obstruction is taking away from the responsibilities of basic governance and hampering economic growth. Congressman Duffy speaks a lot about certainty, but every time he gets a chance, he kicks the can down the road. A comprehensive long-term bill - like the Senate version would allow us to eliminate wasteful direct payments, but continue to provide the program support that are farmers rely on," concluded Kreitlow.