WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after the Senate passed the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012,” which reauthorizes the Farm Bill for another five years, while taking steps to reduce the deficit and decrease government spending by $23 billion over the next 10 years:

“I’m pleased the Senate was able to work together to pass this legislation that takes steps to reduce the deficit and save taxpayers more than $23 billion.

“Not only does the bill help provide certainty for agriculture – which is the number one industry in Missouri and supports nearly 16 million jobs nationwide – but it impacts all Americans by strengthening and improving the ways we support everything from trade promotion and nutrition, to commodity support, research and rural development.

“I hope that we can build on this bipartisan momentum and continue working together to help create jobs and get our economy back on track.”

On May 15, 2012, Blunt joined U.S. Senators Mike Johanns (Neb.), Max Baucus (Mont.), and Maria Cantwell (Wash.), along with 40 of their colleagues, in sending a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) calling for a timely and open debate on the Senate Farm Bill.

Blunt introduced an amendment that passed by voice vote, which will help provide opportunities to veterans who are interested in farming, ranching, or other agriculture-related occupations.

Blunt also cosponsored an amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (Fla.), the “RAISE Act,” which allows employers to give bonuses and pay unionized workers outside the terms of collective bargaining contracts.

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