IDFA Voices Opposition to Amendment Extending MILC Program

IDFA has joined two fiscal oversight groups in voicing opposition to a proposed amendment to extend the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) by one month. The proposed extension would boost the program's chances to be included in the new farm bill by allowing the MILC to expire in the same month as the 2002 Farm Bill (September) instead of August 2007.

The amendment was attached to the Fiscal Year 2007 agriculture spending bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee earlier this month. That bill is now in the House for debate, and a vote is expected soon.

"Passage of this amendment not only begins the rewriting of the Farm Bill outside of the Agriculture Committee before its time, but also opens the floodgates for substantially more spending when we can least afford it," said Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO, in her letter to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and other members of Congress.

The amendment, proposed by Rep. David Obey (D-WI), the ranking Democrat on the committee, also is opposed by the National Taxpayers Union and the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste. In their letters to Congress, the groups estimate that the one-month extension, if approved, ultimately would lead to federal spending of $3.9 billion over a 10-year period. To read these letters, click here.

In her letter, Tipton explained that "not one penny" of current spending will be taken away from dairy farmers if the provision is removed. She urged the speaker and all members of the House to reject the amendment and allow the Agriculture Committee to craft the next farm bill. To read IDFA's letter, click here.

IDFA reported on the Obey amendment last week in News Update. To read the previous story, click here.

IDFA's opposition to the amendment also was published last week in The Hill, a weekly newspaper covering Congress and its members.

Posted May 22, 2006