H 3860 Concurrent Resolution, By Hayes, Witherspoon, Viers, Barfield, Frye, 
Miller, Rhoad, Hardwick, Battle, Ceips, Townsend, Vick, Coates and Duncan
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CONCERN OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH
 CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT PROPOSED CUTS IN FEDERAL FARM PROGRAMS BEING
 CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2006 FEDERAL BUDGET WOULD PLACE A
 DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN OF DEFICIT REDUCTION ON THE SHOULDERS OF OUR NATION'S
 FARM FAMILIES AND RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND TO REQUEST THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED
 STATES TO PRESERVE CURRENT FARM PROGRAMS AND MAINTAIN THE COMMITMENTS MADE TO
 AMERICAN FARM FAMILIES, RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES UNDER
 EXISTING UNITED STATES FARM POLICY.

   04/05/05  House  Introduced HJ-30
   04/05/05  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-31
   04/14/05  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-42
   04/15/05         Scrivener's error corrected
   04/19/05  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Coates, Duncan
   04/19/05  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-46
   04/19/05  Senate Introduced SJ-7
   04/19/05  Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
                     Resources SJ-7

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 14, 2005

H. 3860

Introduced by Reps. Hayes, Witherspoon, Viers, Barfield, Frye, Rhoad, Hardwick, Battle, Ceips, Miller, Townsend and Vick

S. Printed 4/14/05--H.    [SEC 4/15/05 3:43 PM]

Read the first time April 5, 2005.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3860) to express the concern of the members of the South Carolina General Assembly that proposed cuts in federal farm programs being considered as part of the fiscal year 2006 federal budget would place, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

ROBERT W. LEACH, SR. for Committee.

TO EXPRESS THE CONCERN OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT PROPOSED CUTS IN FEDERAL FARM PROGRAMS BEING CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2006 FEDERAL BUDGET WOULD PLACE A DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN OF DEFICIT REDUCTION ON THE SHOULDERS OF OUR NATION'S FARM FAMILIES AND RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND TO REQUEST THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO PRESERVE CURRENT FARM PROGRAMS AND MAINTAIN THE COMMITMENTS MADE TO AMERICAN FARM FAMILIES, RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES UNDER EXISTING UNITED STATES FARM POLICY.

Whereas, in the Congressional Budget Resolutions for fiscal year 2006 and in the Administration's proposed 2006 budget, severe cuts in vital farm programs are being considered or are proposed; and

Whereas, the agricultural economy is relatively healthy, thanks in large part to the stability provided by the 2002 farm bill, the federal crop insurance program, and other farm programs, and has contributed to the overall economic recovery of our nation; and

Whereas, the 2002 farm bill is a comprehensive safety net written to last through 2007 and acts as a fiscally responsible alternative to ad hoc assistance that is required when such a safety net is not in place. In addition to the fact that the 2002 farm bill was a fiscally responsible alternative when it was written and passed, it has since contributed significantly to budget savings, by spending approximately seventeen billion dollars under projections; and

Whereas, the national agricultural budget is roughly one half to one percent of the total federal budget yet helps sustain an industry that is responsible for fifteen percent of our nation's gross domestic product, twenty-five million jobs, and a supply of food and fiber that is the safest, most abundant and most affordable in the world; and

Whereas, the federal farm programs act as a multi-year contract upon which hundreds of thousands of farm families across the United States make their business and investment plans. The stability provided by these 2002 farm programs has allowed for unprecedented growth in farm income and spending. To renege on this contract would be unwise and also would be unfair to the many who have made long range farming decisions through 2007 and beyond; and

Whereas, change can come quickly and drastically, and any reduction to the federal budget for agriculture that might weaken the safety net negatively impacts the spending and growth that has occurred in this sector; and

Whereas, negotiations to reduce and equalize worldwide agricultural subsidies and tariffs are ongoing and until these negotiations are complete it would be very unwise to change United States farm policy; and

Whereas, United States farmers currently operate at a severe disadvantage in the world market relative to farmers in the European Union, which subsidizes farmers six times greater than the United States and other countries where agricultural production is protected by an average worldwide tariff of sixty-two percent, compared with the average United States tariff of twelve percent; and

Whereas, for all of the above reasons, the General Assembly of South Carolina memorializes the Congress in the name of deficit reduction not to adversely affect existing United States farm policy through significant budgetary reductions in current farm programs. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly express concern that proposed cuts in federal farm programs being considered as part of the fiscal year 2006 federal budget would place a disproportionate burden of deficit reduction on the shoulders of our nation's farm families and rural communities, and request the Congress of the United States to preserve current farm programs and maintain the commitments made to American farm families, rural communities, and low income families under existing United States farm policy.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.