Provided by Congressman Bill Sali

When asked why he voted against the Farm Bill last week, Congressman Bill Sali stated, “I have never voted for a tax increase and I cannot support this bill in its current form.

He went on to explain that senior democratic leadership introduced a $7.8 million tax increase over a ten year period of time into this bill behind closed doors just before the bill went to the floor. Funding from the tax increase, would fund an increase to the food stamp portion of the Farm Bill. Congressman Sali further explained that the Democrats were trying to force him to make a choice between the farmers and the middle class and farmers and American manufacturers. Increases would have raised taxes to Idaho businesses that employ 12,900 persons and punish American manufacturers the presently pay $325 billion in wages to 5.1 million American workers.

“Said Congressman Sali, “”Congress needs to pass a workable Farm Bill. H.R. 2419 is not a workable Farm Bill in its current form. However, I hope that the partisan differences in this bill will be ironed out by the time that this bill goes to conference. I believe that the other chamber will remove this costly and politically motivated mistake.”

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