Issue Position: Support the Kansas Farmer

Issue Position

* I promise to be a reliable, responsible voice on behalf of the 2nd District's ag community. More than any other industry, farm production remains at the mercy of powers outside human control, notably weather. This year's drought is a prime example. For that reason, among others, a good farm bill is fundamental to ensure a safe, affordable, homegrown food supply for the nation. But as we all know, this year's farm bill has become mired in partisan politics. It passed the Senate, but is stalled in the House. Kansas farmers deserve better, so they can recover from the drastic losses of this season and make wise decisions for the coming year about planting crops, building herds and investing in land and equipment purchases.

* Much has been done in recent years to weed out big payments to huge corporations and refocus farm programs on where they should be -- the family farms. I will work to continue that emphasis

* I will work to guard against rules and regulations that overburden the average producer.

* In most years, our farmers produce plenty of food for our domestic consumption. I will work to ensure they have good access to export markets for their bountiful harvests.

* Nutrition programs are an important safety net, especially for young children who depend on school lunches for their main meal of the day. Some members of Congress have held the farm bill hostage to demand greater cuts in those nutrition programs. While I agree wasteful or fraudulent spending in those programs cannot be tolerated, I know that good nutrition is vital to good health as well as improved school performance. I will work to preserve that most basic of safety nets.

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