LANSING — At a time when confidence needs to be restored in government,  Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) has full faith in the appointments of Michigan Congressmen Dave Camp (R-Midland) and Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) to the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.
By late November, the 12-member bipartisan committee, appointed by House and Senate leadership, is tasked with identifying $1.2 to $1.5 trillion in cuts that would be applied over the next 10 years.
“Government streamlining is a priority of the Michigan Farm Bureau and our more than 48,000 farmer members support efforts to reduce the federal deficit,” Wayne H. Wood, president of MFB, the state’s largest general farm organization, said Wednesday. “Cutting $1.2 trillion is an enormous task that would overwhelm or shutter most. The average person struggles with hundreds or thousands in their bank account yet Congress is forced to deal with over a trillion dollars — 12 zeroes,” said Wood. “But we have the utmost confidence that Reps. Camp and Upton are up to this mammoth challenge and will help apply the fiscal discipline necessary to restore balance to the federal budget.”
Camp and Upton have demonstrated common-sense leadership in chairing the U.S. House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees, respectively, and their leadership will be an asset to the deficit reduction committee, said Wood.
“Farmers are prepared to take our fair share of spending cuts to help reduce the nation’s budget deficit, but agriculture should not be cut disproportionately,” said Wood. “It’s vital that all departments of government be examined for appropriate cuts in spending, and Reps. Camp and Upton are prepared and committed to doing this.”
Camp and Upton also bring to the table a unique understanding of agriculture and rural communities.
“Even if Congress was tempted to eliminate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget entirely, it would not pay for one month’s interest on the federal deficit. Michigan is fortunate to have two leaders who understand the balance necessary in making vital cost-cutting measures that will bring down the nation’s deficit while not cutting the legs off vital job-generating employment sectors like agriculture,” said Wood. “In Michigan, alone, agriculture is a $71.3 billion-and growing-industry that employs nearly a quarter of the state’s work force.”
MFB members and staff have traditionally enjoyed regular dialogue with Camp and Upton and “once again, the Michigan Farm Bureau stands ready to help in any way we can,” said Wood.
“The objective is to get our nation’s fiscal house back in order.”