Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the House Republican budget, “The Pathway to Prosperity: A Responsible, Balanced Budget.”  Similar to Ryan’s proposal last year, he says the proposed budget would reduce the deficit by $4.6 trillion over the next 10 years.  The proposal does this by keeping the $600 billion in additional revenue from last year’s fiscal cliff agreement and repealing the Affordable Care Act (health care).  The proposal would cut $31 billion from the current commodities program and crop insurance. The proposed budget also proposes block granting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamp program. The budget leaves it up to The House Agriculture Committee to be responsible for determining how the proposed cuts would be implemented.  Congressman Fran Lucas (R-OK), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee said, “We will consider the suggestions contained in Chairman Ryan’s budget, as is customary for the Agriculture Committee to consider a variety of viewpoints when crafting comprehensive legislation.”  Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN), ranking member of the committee, said, “If the House Republicans do take the Ryan budget numbers seriously, I don’t see how they can be serious about passing long-term farm policy this year. If these are the budget priorities for the House Majority, agriculture might best be served by again extending the current farm bill.” 

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