[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 203 (Wednesday, December 2, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       USDA RULEMAKING REVISIONS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I want to tell my colleagues about a 
disappointment I have in some U.S. Department of Agriculture recent 
revisions of a proposed rule.
  Here is the background: I have long fought to strengthen the safety 
net so that Iowa family farmers and other farmers are protected from 
natural disasters or other unforeseen events that they have no control 
over, like flooding or wind storms.
  Family farmers work hard to make sure that Americans have food on the 
table. These same family farmers operate on very thin margins. These 
farmers ought to qualify for help during tough times since losing these 
operations would risk our Nation's food supply.
  However, taxpayers and nonfarm State lawmakers may stop supporting a 
Federal farm safety net if spending programs aren't held accountable or 
left unchecked. Losing urban support for this farm safety net is why I 
am deeply concerned about the USDA's recent proposal to roll back rules 
that put teeth in the definition of a legal term called ``actively 
engaged in farming.''
  Long-lost relatives, by changing these rules, who have probably never 
lifted a finger on the farm should not get away with collecting farm 
payments. Farm payments should only go to operators that--and I have a 
definition that is a little facetious but somewhat realistic--unless 
they have dirt under their fingernails.
  A few weeks ago, I recently complimented Secretary Perdue on what I 
thought were very strong rules that were being proposed at that time. 
Now the USDA's decision to backtrack on their rules means more 
megafarmers will take advantage of this loophole and people who aren't 
actively engaged in farming will benefit from farm payments. I am 
disappointed with this turnaround.
  Once again, Congress must do what it can to oppose these loopholes so 
that we have only family farmers benefiting from the farm program.
  I yield the floor.

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