Rep. Buddy Carter Voted No on Farm Bill
Rep. Buddy Carter (R, GA-1) voted against the “Farm Bill,” officially the Agriculture Improvement Act, yesterday. Rep. Carter felt that the bill was not adequate in providing crop assistance to blueberry farmers in Georgia. Rep. Carter had spent months in negotiation this assistance for them. The bill passed despite his no vote.
Rep. Carter:
“I certainly wanted to vote in support of the Farm Bill today. As Georgia’s top industry, the hard work of our farmers, ranchers and producers contributes to the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world. Our agricultural community needs and deserves the long-term certainty of a sound Farm Bill. Unfortunately, the Farm Bill brought to the House floor today was not one I could support. It simply does not support Georgia growers.
“Georgia has risen to become one of the top blueberry producing states in the nation. Now, the commodity is a $1 billion industry in our state and is the backbone of some of our rural communities. However, in 2017, blueberries were hit with a devastating freeze combined with warm winter weather which dramatically harmed the crops. This is not only debilitating for our growers, but also the local economies that depend on them.
“I have been fighting for assistance for these growers and communities since I learned of the situation. I had planned to vote yes on this Farm Bill today, but without this critical assistance that we have been fighting for and have been promised, I could not in good faith lend my support.
“Now, the fight is not over. I will continue working to secure assistance for one of our largest commodities in the First District, while also continuing to support our entire agricultural community.”
About Author
lawtonsack
Lawton is a graduate of Georgia Southern University (the GSU) with a degree in Information Technology. He has held numerous positions within the Georgia Republican Party throughout the years.
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One more time the GOP is short sighted when it comes to looking out for all agriculture, focusing on special interest nichs. I think it is fair to say the blueberry ag industry is a special interest niche.
Tucked in the Farm Bill was a passage that FINALLY, after 90 years, relegalized agricultural hemp. This is projected to be a multi billion dollar positive economic impact to the South. 41 states have some kind of hemp legal program already, and now the Dinosaurs in GA GOP leadership can help introduce this awesome rotator crop into agriculture, and to manufacturing. Local manufacturing. Mom and pops over large corps.
We got a lot to talk about and demand. This is one we all need to get right, and not just hand over to Corporate Powers.