To All,
The farm bill is called H.R. 2: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.
Really bad bills like this try to sneak in with good sounding names. There is no nutrition but instead contamination. Almost everything about this bill (and it is extensive) is a wish list from the industry.
We are hoping the worst can get filtered out. Anyway, the bill and its contents are in a pdf file below. Please pass it on.
By the way, there are dozens of amendments to this bill that are being attempted, some equally bad and some trying to correct the wrongs.
H.R. 2: BILLS-115hr2rh
Here is a sample letter for you to use and modify. Your representative may differ so you will need to at least change this:
Larry
May –, 2018
Washington D.C. Office
1406 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Huffman:
Re: Opposing Farm Bill
I am outraged at the egregious issues contained in the 2018 Farm Bill. The House version of the bill would gravely harm people in the farm community and public members and undermine the progress this country has made toward advancing more sustainable farming systems, addressing hunger, protecting the environment, and supporting our farmers.
I oppose benefitting agro-chemical corporations over the welfare of the public and farmworkers’ interests.
Some of the issues which I strongly oppose include:
• Weakening organic standards;
• Eliminating conservation programs;
• Eliminating nutrition assistance; gutting funding for rural support programs;
• Eliminating endangered species protections and weakening pesticide oversight;
• Eliminating any limits on mega-farms’ subsidies;
• Eliminating the rights of local and state governments to regulate pesticides or CAFOs.
In addition, there are amendments on the House floor that would add additional harm and need to be opposed. A notable one being considered is redefining “waters of the US” under the Clean Water Act. Here is the Heritage Foundation description:
“Define ‘Navigable Waters’ Under the Clean Water Act, Amendment No. 17. Sponsors: Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash.; Paul Gosar R-Ariz.; and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.
This amendment would help put an end to the federal government’s trying to regulate almost every body of water imaginable. The amendment would define “navigable waters” consistent with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s opinion in Rapanos v. United States in 2006. It would also expressly repeal the infamous Obama-era “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule.”
However, protection of the waters of the US benefits the public and the environment. Otherwise big money via big agriculture, big industry, and the very rich will control and take water for themselves. The Clean Water Act was created for the protection of water so it could not be exploited by the few.
Please use your influence to ensure that such harmful provisions are NOT included in the Farm Bill, and VOTE NO.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
(name)