Farm Program Cuts: Got Any Favors To Spare?

Among Southern Republicans in Congress, nothing brings out bipartisanship quite like the threat of cuts to farm programs. As you might recall, Congress last year overwhelmingly passed and then overrode President George W. Bush’s veto of the last farm bill, not once but twice. That second vote was required because 34 pages were missing from the originally passed version sent to the White House.

That's bipartisanship. It wasn't a perfect farm bill for the South, but it was better than it might have been.

Now, here we are with proposed farm support cuts in the next phase of President Barak Obama’s economic plan.

How will farm groups – especially those representing Southern states and Sunbelt crops – cobble together a defense moving forward? Republicans in the House and Senate have largely opposed any of the President’s economic stimulus points up until now. Nobody owes them any favors on that count.

Southern Republicans, in particular, also fought against bailouts for the auto industry, mainly to inflict damage on unions. Ironically, the auto manufacturers that populate the South – Asian and European car makers – favored the bailout because failure to prop up U.S. automakers meant a devastating blow to U.S. parts manufacturers. Those companies, in turn, make parts for all brands, regardless of where the home office is located. (Some analysts say that loss of parts suppliers also would hurt U.S.-based farm machinery manufacturers.)

Farm program cuts loom now, but Southern Republicans have gone out of their way to alienate even some of the more moderate folks who might help. Like it or not, things get done in Washington – no, make that in a democracy – because people owe you favors or anticipate something being done in return. On that front, the situation looks bleak. If favors could be stored in a bank, Southern agriculture would be starting the debate with an overdrawn account.

- Owen Taylor