Equipment Manufacturers Applaud Passage Of Senate Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last night, June 10, 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a five-year Farm Bill by a strong vote of 66-27.  Following the vote, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater issued the following statement:

"On behalf of America's equipment manufacturers, we congratulate the Senate on working in a bipartisan manner to pass this long-term Farm Bill, and in particular we thank Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for her effort to quickly move this important legislation to the floor.  The Farm Bill provides much needed certainty to the agriculture industry and is essential for the continued growth of the American economy. 

"The effects of last year's drought emphasized the critical importance of providing our farmers and ranchers with a safety net in order to keep our nation's food supply safe, abundant and affordable.  I'm pleased to see the Senate bill ensure that crop insurance is available in the event of future natural disasters.

"I now urge the House of Representatives to bring its version of the Farm Bill to the floor and for representatives to work together to pass it without delay. America's agriculture industry and the tens of thousands of Americans whose livelihoods depend on it are too important for political posturing."

The Senate legislation calls for $23 billion in savings over 10 years.  Pressure now shifts to the House to bring the Agriculture Committee bill, which passed on May 15 by a bipartisan 36-10 vote, to the floor for consideration.  On May 23, AEM AG Sector Board Chairman Rob Kolb of GEA Farm Technologies sent a letter to House leadership urging them to take quick action on the farm bill. Click here to view the letter. 

About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) - www.aem.org
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 850 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the world capitals of Washington, D.C.; Ottawa, Canada; and Beijing, China.

CONTACT:
Sara Sendek, AEM
202-898-9064; [email protected]  

SOURCE Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)