Carper, Coons discuss Farm Bill in Rehoboth
Sen. Tom Carper and Sen. Chris Coons visited the Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market July 3 to discuss the future of the Farm Bill, which provides protections, programs and regulations for the agriculture industry.
Carper said the bill will help local growers, such as those at farmers markets, by providing better insurance programs. He said new technology would allow residents to use food-stamp cards at the markets, increasing their access to fresh foods.
The Senate passed the bill earlier in June. The House has yet to pass the bill. A House agriculture committee passed a different version of the Farm Bill than was passed by the Senate, but the bill has not been approved for a vote on the House floor at this time.
Coons said the bipartisan bill would cut $23 billion in spending, which helps reduce deficits while saving programs such as Delaware's food and nutrition programs. Both Carper and Coons proposed amendments to the Farm Bill that passed in the Senate's version of the bill, increasing insurance allowances for farmers.
"There are 16 million agriculture jobs nationwide," said Coons. "That includes 30,000 jobs in Delaware. This Farm Bill saves those jobs and makes agriculture more competitive as an industry."
