Both Indiana U.S. Senators voted for the farm bill that the Senate passed Tuesday 68-32.
The massive five year bill ends direct payments to farmers, trims food stamps for the poor, expands federal crop insurance and consolidates agricultural conservation programs.
Indiana Republican Senator Dan Coats said that providing Hoosier farmers with certainty was a major reason he supported the bill.
“It has been nearly six years since Congress last authorized a farm bill, and Indiana’s agriculture community has waited long enough,” said Coats. “While not perfect, this legislation provides Hoosier farmers with the certainty they need for the next five years.”
Indiana Democratic Senator said the farm bill is free market friendly because it eliminates direct payments to farmers in favor of putting money into crop insurance.
The farm bill now goes to the desk of President Obama, who is expected to sign it.
