Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) recently cast his vote in favor of the $940 billion farm bill that would have established a five-year extension of agriculture programs to provide farmers with certainty on a long-term basis.
The bill ultimately failed in a 195 to 234 vote on Friday. Reed subsequently reached out to farmers in his district to gauge reaction and hear thoughts on moving forward.
“Obviously I am disappointed the farm bill did not pass the House,” Reed said. “This is a classic example of what is wrong with Washington and Washington not working for those in our community who are our backbone. This is not the time to play the blame game though, this is the time to regroup and focus on the important reforms and savings in the farm bill that we must continue to pursue.”
Reed solicited feedback from farmers and stakeholders in his district over the past year as the House Agriculture Committee drafted the bill that was brought to the floor.
“Our farmers are counting on us to get this done for them and we will continue to move forward,” Reed said. “This is not the time for Republicans to be blaming Democrats or Democrats to be blaming Republicans. This is the time for Washington to care for our farmers and give them certainty in a long-term solution.”