Downsizing Blog
Farm Bill: 800 Pages from an 800-Pound Lobby
Congress is set to pass an $867 billion farm/food stamp bill with virtually no smaller-government reforms, and the president will probably sign it.
Farm Bill Fiasco
Congress is set to pass an appalling farm bill that increases subsidies rather than reforms them.
Farm Bill Flop
Last week, the House voted down passage of the 2018 farm bill. The bill would have reauthorized farm programs and food stamps at a 10-year cost of $867 billion.
Congress Tees Up an $867 Billion Farm Bill
If you thought that the congressional spending orgy would slow down after the bloated omnibus bill passed in March, you were wrong.
Federal Spending Rescission
Worried that their spending spree in the recent omnibus bill will suppress conservative turnout at the polls this November, Republicans are now considering a “rescission” package.
Federal Fuel Foolishness
The Renewable Fuel Standard harms consumers, damages the economy, and produces negative environmental effects.
Will Congress Pass a Bloated Farm Bill?
Agriculture subsidies distort markets, harm the environment, line the pockets of the rich, and cost billions of dollars.
It’s Time to Put the Farm Bill Out to Pasture
Some Americans may be surprised to learn that agriculture in their country is in large part based on a five-year plan.
Food Stamp Reform in 2018?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the costliest welfare programs at about $70 billion a year. Not only is it costly, but a large share of the benefits are not used as intended.
Farm Subsidy Report Reveals Reverse Redistribution
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released new data reaffirming the scandal that is federal farm policy. The government pumps out billions of dollars a year in subsidies to farm businesses, and the giveaways mainly benefit the richest farmers.
The EWG found that, “Between 1995 and 2016, the top 10 percent received 77 percent of all ‘covered commodity’ subsidies … The top 1 percent received 26 percent of all subsidies, or $1.7 million per recipient.”