News Coverage
Miller: Farm Bill Too Costly
Published May 15, 2008
WASHINGTON — After Congress passed its last farm bill in 2002, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller described the legislation as a "giant leap backward in federal agriculture policy."
The Chumuckla Republican called it an expensive, big-government measure that failed to limit payments for commodity programs.
Six years later, Miller rejected the measure again for the same reasons.
"American farm incomes are achieving record highs around the country. Some of the key crops have seen 250-plus percent price increase since '02," Miller said Wednesday.
"We missed a great opportunity for historic reforms. Farmers need to base their crop planning decisions on the markets, and not on government subsidies and regulations."
Miller's vote probably won't win him any favors with the in-laws: His wife's family fills the top 10 list of federal subsidy recipients in his congressional district.
The Griswolds are the largest farming family in Santa Rosa County. In 2006, three of their family farms ranked among the top 10 recipients of federal subsidies in a database compiled by the Environmental Working Group.
"We don't even discuss legislative issues," Miller said about his extended family. "I voted against the '02 farm bill, and I would suspect that anybody who knows my fiscal record would expect me to vote against this bill."
Family patriarch Copeland Griswold declined to comment Wednesday. A call to his son, Paul Griswold, was not returned.
Miller's vote was among the losing side: The measure sailed through the House, passing 318-106.
The Senate also must vote on the farm bill before the legislation can be sent to President Bush, who has promised to veto it because of its hefty price tag and because he said it fails to cut subsidies to rich farmers.
However, the House vote Wednesday may provide lawmakers with a margin wide enough to override a veto. The Senate was expected to vote on the bill Thursday.
Gannett News Service reporter Maureen Groppe contributed to this report.
