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Wisconsin Senate Candidate Hovde Defends Limited Knowledge of Farm Bill

USA 29.10.2024
Source: DairyNews.today
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In the closing days of the Wisconsin Senate race, Republican candidate Eric Hovde has defended his limited knowledge of the U.S. farm bill, despite Wisconsin's status as a major agricultural state.
Wisconsin Senate Candidate Hovde Defends Limited Knowledge of Farm Bill
During a recent debate, Hovde, backed by former President Donald Trump, openly stated he is “not an expert” on the legislation, which holds critical implications for the state’s farming industry. His opponent, incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin, quickly capitalized on the comment, emphasizing her recent endorsement from the traditionally Republican-aligned Wisconsin Farm Bureau—the first time in over two decades that the group has backed a Democratic candidate in a statewide race.

With a closely contested race and potential Senate majority control at stake, both candidates are making strategic moves to gain support among Wisconsin’s agricultural community. Hovde’s initial response to a question on the farm bill drew criticism from Baldwin, who has used his remarks in ads to highlight her support for Wisconsin farmers, underscoring Hovde’s lack of experience with agricultural legislation. Baldwin’s ads assert that Hovde “doesn’t give a damn about farmers.”

When pressed by reporters about his farm bill knowledge, Hovde stood by his comments, arguing, “Why in God’s green Earth would I know all the details in a farm bill when I’m not serving in this Senate right now?” He dismissed the scrutiny as “absurd” and suggested the agricultural bill has drifted from its purpose, benefitting “big corporate interests” rather than family farms.

In a follow-up appearance on conservative radio, Hovde reiterated his stance, questioning the relevance of the debate topics selected by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. “The farm bill is no longer about farmers,” Hovde remarked, pointing out that only about 25% of its budget goes directly to farming, with the remainder allocated to corporate interests and nutrition programs. He also criticized the debate panel for prioritizing topics like PFAS pollution over issues he sees as more pressing, including inflation, immigration, and crime.

During a campaign stop in Eau Claire, Hovde challenged Baldwin’s understanding of the farm bill’s specifics, arguing that expecting candidates to be familiar with its complex details was “insane” and again calling for a return to a farmer-focused approach. He criticized the bill as a “big grab bag in spending” and expressed a desire to reframe it to directly support farmers rather than broader welfare initiatives.

Senator Baldwin, however, maintains that the farm bill’s structure is essential for Wisconsin’s agricultural stability, stating in the debate that it provides “certainty to Wisconsin farmers.” She pointed out that farmers depend on the consistency of the bill’s provisions, especially the nutrition programs that bolster food purchasing and indirectly support agricultural demand. Baldwin criticized the House Republicans’ version of the bill, which she claims undermines these essential nutrition programs, reducing benefits for farmers in the process.

The Senate race has underscored deep divisions in both policy priorities and ideological approaches, with Hovde’s remarks reflecting a broader debate on the scope of federal agricultural policy. The current farm bill, initially passed in 2018, was extended into 2024 due to gridlock in Congress, delaying reauthorization as both parties struggle to reconcile differing priorities on agriculture and welfare.

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