Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall appeared on RFD-TV to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding the Farm Bill, which remains unrenewed. During his appearance, he stressed the need for a Farm Bill that prioritizes American farmers' needs.

Senator Marshall criticized the Biden-Harris Administration's policies, stating they have led to decreased farmer incomes, restricted agricultural production due to environmental regulations, and increased grocery bills for Americans.

In discussing the Farm Bill, Senator Marshall stated: “We’re going to put the farm back in the Farm Bill. We’ve been stuck on two issues that the Democrats refuse to yield on. We need a little bit more help with crop insurance, need a little bit more help on the reference prices…I think what needs to happen is a Republican majority in the Senate, and we’ll follow up with what the Republicans did on the House side, where they put farm back in the Farm Bill, and they took care of crop insurance.”

He also emphasized that if a new Farm Bill is not passed soon, an extension will be necessary: “If we don’t pass a new Farm Bill, we’re going to get an extension done one way or another. We’ll get it done, but remember this is a five-year bill and I’ve got to get it right. What the Democrats are offering to me now actually hurts reference prices for wheat and for milo. Kansas is a wheat state – I can’t take a Farm Bill that’s going to hurt wheat let alone milo industry.”

Addressing concerns about agriculture under Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's leadership, Senator Marshall remarked: “The number one concern in farmland is not the Farm Bill – it’s record increases in input costs; it’s interest rates; it’s fact that Harris Administration has not done one trade agreement. That’s what’s killing agriculture right now.”

Furthermore, he questioned their support for biofuels: “Have you heard words ‘biofuels’ come out of Biden-Harris Administration? There’s no support for biofuels industry. They don’t do trade agreements. They refuse put farm back in Farm Bill. We need new leadership White House.”

Marshall concluded by emphasizing Republican control as essential for effective legislation: “We need Republican majority Senate go along with that House then we’ll give you good Farm Bill…reference prices created 2018 only worth 80% what they were worth five years ago because inflation.”