The two leaders of the Senate Ag Committee, Chairman Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., along with 14 Senate colleagues, have sent a letter to USDA's Risk Management Agency urging further important changes to the final draft of the Standard Reinsurance Agreement.
In the letter, the Senators note the $6 billion in proposed cuts over the next ten years will severely constrain the CBO baseline for the next farm bill. Additionally, they question the appropriateness of capping commissions paid to crop insurance agents, who are independent contractors. Lastly, the Senators highlight concerns with the final draft, which limits the legal rights of insurers and agents.