Thompson: Crop Insurance Remains A Priority For 2023 Farm Bill

Lawmakers continue to prepare to craft the 2023 Farm Bill. Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee, said during listening sessions he’s conducted nationwide, the importance of crop insurance remains top of mind for farmers and ag groups. He noted that crop insurance is often one of the items that gets attacked by members of Congress each time a Farm Bill comes up.

“I think it's ignorance. There are those who just don't understand it. Crop insurance is not like buying fire insurance. If you suffer a devastating loss, if your house burns down, fire insurance, by and large, is going to rebuild your house. That's not crop insurance. Crop insurance is a public/private partnership. Farmers have skin in the game; they make an investment. It’s really trying to deal with weather; weather has a huge impact on agriculture, probably more than any other industry.”

Thompson said he and his colleagues are trying to clear up that confusion.

“A couple years ago, probably four years ago, we formed a crop insurance caucus. That's where we use that to educate both members and their staff on what the realities are of crop insurance. It’s a public/private partnership. I expect, as we go through this next Farm Bill process in 2023, there will be some amendments that will try to attack crop insurance, but, as I like to say, I don't like a fair fight. So, that's my approach. We're working to proactively educate members of Congress and their staff about just how successful this program is and how important it is.”

Both the Senate and House ag committees have traditionally been known to be very bipartisan, but concerns have surfaced recently indicating that may no longer be the case. Asked if politics will get in the way of this Farm Bill, Thompson said, “I hope not”.

“The agriculture committee continues to be very bipartisan. Now, we've had our moments the past little over a year. The two budget reconciliation bills that were imposed upon the committee, really by Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership, were awful. It was the first time I’ve really seen the insertion of partisan politics into the agriculture committee. But it didn't come from the members on the committee, it didn't come from the staff, it came from the democratic leadership.”

Thompson added that it feels like they are behind schedule in getting this Farm Bill crafted, saying the majority party hasn’t really moved on having listening sessions in D.C. with only one to date.

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