[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE RELATING TO CROP INSURANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 11, 2013

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this Sense 
of the House that the Durbin-Coburn amendment on crop insurance should 
be included in a farm bill conference report. This measure limits crop 
insurance premium subsidies for the wealthiest producers, saving more 
than $900 million over ten years. The bipartisan amendment was adopted 
in the Senate by a 59-33 vote, and enjoys bipartisan House support as 
well. As we look to trim spending in all areas of the budget, limiting 
taxpayer handouts to farmers making over $750,000 is a sensible place 
to start. Currently there are no limits to crop insurance premium 
subsidies or payments. This proposal doesn't eliminate assistance for 
those well-off producers, but simply limits it. In fact, I supported an 
amendment last June--offered by my colleague Congressman Ron Kind--
which would have shrunk taxpayer subsidies for crop insurance even 
further than the measure being considered today. I look forward to 
working with other Members of the House, and our colleagues in the 
Senate, to reform the nation's agriculture safety net in a way that 
provides security to our farmers while reducing the deficit.

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