Broadcast Newsline: March 31, 2010

This week’s Cotton Newsline is 3 cuts.  All cuts are Robbie Minnich, senior government relations representative for the National Cotton Council.

Suggested Introduction 1:
Senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Pat Roberts of Kansas, ranking member and senior member of the Agriculture Committee, respectively, sent a letter to the President opposing budget cuts to farm programs in a tough economy.  Robbie Minnich, senior government relations representative for the National Cotton Council, says they urged him to consider the substantial contributions the farm safety net has already made toward deficit reduction and to maintain the five-year commitments made to America’s hard-working farm and ranch families for the 2011 budget year.

Suggested Introduction 2:
According to Minnich, the letter pointed out that the budget cuts to the farm safety net also appear to disregard the fact that the ’08 farm bill, which contains the farm safety net provisions cut in the President’s budget, was fiscally responsible and completely offset so as not to add to our country’s deficit.

Suggested Introduction 3:
Minnich says the letter also stated that payment eligibility requirements for the farm safety net were debated extensively during the two years of debate on the farm bill.