Senator Johanns admits to being surprised by revised numbers on how much a proposed new Farm Bill might save, but says the new numbers must prompt lawmakers to look for new savings.
Senator Johanns admits to being surprised by revised numbers on how much a proposed new Farm Bill might save, but says the new numbers must prompt lawmakers to look for new savings. Brent Martin reports.
Brent Martin;
Senator Johanns and others trumpeted big savings in the Senate-approved Farm Bill...but the Congressional Budget Office has reduced the estimated savings from 23 Billion dollars over ten years to 11 Billion.
Sen. Mike Johanns; "on the Farm Bill"
Johanns has become a co-sponsor on the bill by Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas that purports to save billions in the food stamp program by eliminating duplication and closing loopholes.
A new Farm Bill has yet to pass Congress.
Senator Johanns acknowledges a downward re-adjustment by the Congressional Budget Office of the savings expected from the Senate-approved Farm Bill surprised him.
The CBO reduced expected savings from 23 Billion dollars to 11 Billion. . .
Johanns; "of the Farm Bill"
Johanns has signed on as a co-sponsor to a bill that would reduce the money going toward the SNAP program, more commonly known as food stamps. The bill claims it can reduce program by 36 Billion dollars by closing loopholes and eliminating duplication.
Senator Johanns admits new numbers from the Congressional Budget Office on the savings that might be expected from the Senate-approved Farm Bill surprised him. . .
Johanns; "sharpen the pencil"
The CBO reduced the savings of the bill from 23 Billion dollars to 11 Billion. The CBO says food stamp savings were too optimistic and the change also reflects fluctuating crop prices.
Senator Johanns says drafters of the Senate-approved Farm Bill must re-visit the legislation in light of new numbers coming from the Congressional Budget Office.
The CBO has dramatically reduced the expected savings from both the Senate bill and legislation approved by the House Agriculture Committee.
Johanns says the new numbers must prompt more work. . .
Johanns; "$15 billion more"
The CBO reduced expected savings in the Senate bill from 23 Billion dollars over ten years to 11 Billion.
The CBO says expected savings in the food stamp program were too optimistic.
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(courtesy of Nebraska Radio Network)
