The following statement is from Ms. Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, on the unexpected defeat of H.R.2 The Agricultural and Nutrition Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) on Friday, May 18, 2018:

This afternoon, the House of Representatives rejected H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. The final vote was 198-213.

Once again, bad process yields bad results. Congress must give more people a seat at the negotiating table to craft a bill that better serves taxpayers, producers, and consumers affected by the agriculture economy. We should not be held hostage by a small group of people writing legislation behind closed doors that rewards a small number of special interests and large agribusinesses at the expense of taxpayers.

In order to create a truly bipartisan farm bill, the 295 million Americans without an elected members of Congress on the House Agriculture Committee need a voice at the table. We must also have an open debate so ideas to reform the agricultural safety net can pass or fail on their own merits instead of being ducked and blocked in the backrooms of the Capitol.

Taxpayers for Common Sense looks forward to working with any and every one interested in creating a cost effective, transparent financial safety net for American agriculture.

–Ryan Alexander, President