Based on President Obama’s 2012 budget plan, more than $5 billion in public support for agriculture would be eliminated, including subsidies to some farmers, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Obama has suggested that the White House would like to shift funds away from agricultural programs, which could create a battle between legislators from agricultural states and the administration.
Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack says the change would impact approximately 30,000 of the 1.2 million growers who get direct-payment farm subsidies. But, cuts like these are generally difficult to pass through Congress. Both Presidents Bush, as well as President Clinton, proposed similar cutbacks.
“Farm subsidy programs and other programmatic cuts are just a small piece of the puzzle,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). “All agriculture programs should be a part of the overall strategy to lower the federal deficit, but no more or less than other programs.”
To read the full Los Angeles Times article, click here.