GOP Agriculture chairman resists Ryan plan

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) signaled Tuesday that he is not on board with the $33 billion in cuts to farm subsidies from House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

Lucas backs a compromise cut of about $10 billion less over 10 years that also includes an expanded crop insurance program. Ryan in a press conference Tuesday suggested cutting crop insurance.

That compromise has been worked on by Lucas and Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) as they prepare to reauthorize the five-year Farm Bill before its October expiration dates.

"I would caution people about reading too much into the numbers or policy proposals in either the President's budget or the Ryan budget. They are only suggestions. During our process, both policy and deficit reduction targets will be developed in conjunction with Ranking Member [Collin] Peterson [(D-Minn.)] and Members of the Committee as we write a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that ensures Americans continue to have a safe, affordable, and stable food supply," Lucas said in a statement.

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