Why Won’t Gwen Graham Stand Up For North Florida Farmers?

February 9, 2015

Remember when Gwen Graham sent out a press release announcing her assignment to the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee?  That’s the subcommittee that oversees the federal crop insurance program that protects farmers in case they lose their crops for a variety of reasons beyond their control.  Graham bragged that her assignment to this subcommittee will give North Florida farmers (aka farmers who depend on crop insurance) a stronger voice in Congress.

“Farmers and rural communities are the backbone of North Florida. Serving on these subcommittees will give North Florida’s farmers and agriculture research programs a stronger voice in Congress.”
–Gwen Graham, January 29, 2015

Unfortunately for North Florida farmers, that appears to be more of Graham’s empty rhetoric considering her silence on Barack Obama’s proposal to cut $16 billion in federal crop insurance.

“President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget plan finds $16 billion in savings over 10 years by slashing federal funding for crop insurance programs.”
-McClatchy DC, February 2, 2015

So where is Gwen Graham?  She said she was going to give North Florida farmers a stronger voice in Congress.  Why isn’t she screaming on behalf of North Florida farmers for the president to drop his plan to cut $16 billion from crop insurance? Once again, Graham’s silence doesn’t match her rhetoric.

NRCC Comment:  “Gwen Graham’s refusal to stand up for North Florida farmers by opposing Barack Obama’s plan to cut $16 billion in crop insurance is further proof that Graham is full of empty rhetoric.  Someone needs to tell Gwen Graham that slashing crop insurance for North Florida farmers isn’t exactly giving them a stronger voice in Congress like she claims in her fancy press releases.” -NRCC Spokesman Chris Pack