Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel issued the following statement after the U.S. House today rejected H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, by a vote of 198-213.
“Oklahoma Farm Bureau is deeply disappointed in today’s House vote on the 2018 farm bill. Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy. When farmers and ranchers succeed, our rural communities prosper and our economy thrives.
“The commodity and conservation programs within the farm bill provide stability to our state’s farmers and ranchers that directly impact their planning and everyday business decisions. The farm bill’s failure creates an unreliable business environment for farmers and ranchers in an already struggling farm economy.
“With so many Oklahomans suffering from hunger, the farm bill’s nutrition programs are absolutely vital. Our state’s most vulnerable residents will suffer without the assurance the nutrition programs in the farm bill provide.
“We’re grateful for the support of Rep. Tom Cole, Rep. Frank Lucas, Rep. Markwayne Mullin and Rep. Steve Russell who all voted in favor of the measure. We also applaud the hard work of House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway, and urge the House to quickly advance a farm bill that works for rural America.”