Cole Still Skeptical On Farm Bill Strategy
Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole is skeptical of farm bill strategy
By Chris Casteel July 2, 2013
WASHINGTON — Republican leaders might commit “political malpractice” if they separate food stamps from farm policy to move the critical legislation through the House, Rep. Tom Cole said Friday.
“Count me as skeptical of that strategy,” said Cole, R-Moore.
House Republican leaders have been trying to devise a way of securing passage of the farm bill after its surprising defeat on June 20. Most Democrats refused to support the legislation because of cuts to the food stamp program, and 62 Republicans opposed the bill because it didn’t cut spending enough.
Farm programs are set to expire in September, and Cole said in an interview that renewing them has to be a priority for Congress in July since lawmakers are in recess for most of August.