Congresswoman Calls On Billionaires to Disclose Farm Subsidies and Defend Food Nutrition Programs

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today wrote to the 50 billionaires recently revealed to be receiving farm subsidies, calling for accountability on behalf of American taxpayers. She asked the billionaires if they have received farm subsidies since 2008 to shed light on the hypocrisy of wasting taxpayer dollars on wealthy individuals while cutting money from programs, like food stamps, that feed poor Americans.

“We cannot look at food stamps alone,” DeLauro said in a statement accompanying the letter. “We must examine the Farm Bill in its entirety. These choices will be front and center as the House and Senate differences are ironed out in conference.”

Individuals on the list may also have received taxpayer dollars from the crop insurance program, but there is no way to know, as those names are hidden by law. Those individuals also have no qualifications placed on their ability to receive subsidies, while House Republicans have pushed plans to require drug testing and cut off recipients who cannot find jobs.

DeLauro is a former chairwoman of the subcommittee responsible for funding the Agriculture Department. One of the letters that was sent today is below. Similar letters were sent to the other 49 billionaires, with only the names, dollar amounts and years changed.

November 12, 2013

Paul G. Allen

Dear Mr. Allen:

I recently learned that a small number of individuals with over a billion dollars in assets received farm subsidies under the Farm Bill from 1995-2012. My understanding is that through the Kona Residence Trust name you received $14,429 amount in farm subsidies from 1996 to 2006.

Agriculture and nutrition programs are authorized by Congress through the Farm Bill, last signed into law in 2008. Congress is currently negotiating a new Farm Bill that would reauthorize and possibly reform a wide range of farm programs, including the crop insurance program. At the same time, Congress is also determining funding and policy for the food stamp program, our most vital anti-hunger program providing support to millions of low-income households, including over 21 million children.

As you know the House Majority chose to cut $40 billion from food stamps while preserving farm subsidies via crop insurance. The Congressional Budget Office estimates these cuts to the food stamp program would result in 3.8 million poor people being denied benefits in 2014, and an average of almost 3 million low-income Americans losing benefits annually over the next decade. This would occur even as food stamp benefits have already been cut due to the expiration of benefits provided by the 2009 Recovery Act. This cut of $5 billion in 2014, and $11 billion over the next three years, will cut benefits for a family of three by an average of $29, or 16 meals, each month.

That is the context for my concern about the payment of farm subsidies to such high worth individuals. I understand this is very likely lawful, but it underscores the need for reform. Reform begins with accurate information, and I ask respectfully: Have you or your business holdings received any farm subsidies since 2008? Since the crop insurance payments are not public, can you confirm what you have received in crop insurance subsidies and over what period?

Thank you for your attention to this request. I look forward to your response on this important issue. I hope you will make your voice heard that food stamps should not be cut as the House and Senate make critical decisions negotiating a final Farm Bill in the coming days.

Sincerely,

Rosa L. DeLauro

Member of Congress