$400 Million Spent, Big Agriculture and Pharma Lobbying Congress on New $1.5 Trillion Farm Bill – What To Know!

Pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and agriculture interests have spent over $400 million lobbying Congress on the $1.5 trillion Farm Bill significantly overshadowing the $95 million spent by public sector and civil society groups raising concerns about the legislation’s focus on corporate profits over public and environmental well-being.

Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, and Agriculture Interests Spend $400 Million Lobbying on Farm Bill

A recent report from The Hill has shown that pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and large agriculture interests have spent over $400 million lobbying Congress on the new farm bill. This amount is more than four times what the public sector and civil society have spent, according to data from the Union for Concerned Scientists (UCS). Nonprofits, labor unions, state and local governments, and tribal nations together spent $95 million during the same period.

Karen Perry Stillerman, a co-author of the UCS report, highlighted the significant influence these powerful groups have on the food and farm bill. “The food and farm bill can transform our food and farm system and agribusiness and industry groups understand this,” she said. The report points out that these industry groups began lobbying almost immediately after the last farm bill was enacted showing their continuous efforts to influence legislation in their favor.

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(photo: KCUR)

Congressional Priorities Clash Over $1.5 Trillion Farm Bill as Lobbying Hits Record $400 Million

The previous farm bill enacted in 2018, was set to expire in 2023 but has been extended by one year. Congress has allocated an estimated $1.5 trillion for the upcoming farm bill to be used over four years. The report notes that lobbying activities increased significantly last year as the current farm bill’s expiration date approached.

Tthe country saw the different priorities of Republicans and Democrats for the new farm bill. Both parties proposals include plans to increase crop insurance for large agricultural operations growing commodities such as corn, soy, wheat, dairy, lumber, and sugar. Additionally, both parties want to increase support for American food exports.

Although both parties agree on increasing crop insurance funding. Republicans have proposed more extensive measures. This has raised concerns among the UCS authors who argue that a policy prioritizing corporate profits is harmful to public and environmental well-being.

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Furthermore, the UCS authors urge lawmakers to focus on the needs of small and midsize farms, diverse farmers, food workers, and communities when drafting the legislation. They call for a balanced approach that does not overly favor large corporations, stressing the importance of supporting the broader agricultural community.