Farm Bill Creating Deep Divide Within OKGOP
Oklahoma Reps. Tom Cole, Jim Bridenstine Disagree on Farm Bill
Published: June 21, 2013 by Chris Casteel
A day after the House dealt a severe blow to the five-year farm bill, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, on Friday called the failure of the legislation inexcusable. But Tulsa Republican Rep. Jim Bridenstine defended his vote to kill it.
The bill, which would have reformed farm and food stamp programs and save an estimated $20.5 billion over five years, was the product of the House Agriculture Committee. That panel is led by Oklahoma Rep. Frank Lucas, a Republican from Cheyenne.
The bill was defeated by a vote of 195-234, as Democrats rebelled against cuts in the food stamp program and Republicans like Bridenstine rebelled against the total cost of the legislation _ nearly half a trillion dollars over five years.
Has Congressman Bridenstine ever voted yes for anything in his short tenure in DC? I don’t think he realizes that 40% of Oklahoma’s economy is based on agriculture. This was a bill with real reform and 40 Billion in savings.