WASHINGTON (February 11, 2020) – House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota released a statement today in response to the release of the White House’s proposed budget request for fiscal year 2021. The budget includes a call for an 8.2 percent reduction in discretionary spending at USDA when the Department’s field operations are significantly understaffed, as well as proposing billions in mandatory cuts to crop insurance, conservation spending, disaster assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other programs. 

“This is what happens when ideologues decide to cut programs just for the sake of cutting. We will make sure that the farm bill isn’t cut during this year’s budget process. What’s worse is the President is proposing all these cuts without any attempt to balance the budget.” 

“The past year has brought serious economic damage to farmers and rural communities, yet the Administration is proposing to cut billions in programs that they count on in many different ways.  This budget also continues to short-change the funding needed to provide adequate service to USDA customers in field offices.” 

The White House has suggested cutting crop insurance by almost $25 billion and conservation programs by more than $9 billion. They also propose to eliminate assistance for livestock producers in drought-stricken areas and end our ability to provide U.S. commodities for food aid. The proposed budget eliminates the Rural Energy for America Program and several important rural economic development programs. Finally, their proposed changes to the SNAP program reduce SNAP spending by $182 billion.