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May 23, 2013
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) filed an amendment Wednesday that would make the United Soybean Board and all national checkoff programs and promotion boards voluntary. This is similar to an amendment filed by former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) last year, which ASA vocally opposed.
ASA opposes the Cruz amendment because checkoff programs are paid for and guided by the farmers they serve, and cost the government zero dollars. Even USDA oversight of the soy checkoff is funded by soybean farmers. Furthermore, farmers already have the chance to vote via referendum every five years whether to continue such checkoff programs. Support for the checkoff remains overwhelmingly strong among soybean farmers. In the most recent request for referendum in 2009, less than one-tenth of a percent of the farmers required for an actual referendum participated.
ASA encouraged all farmers to use the Soy Action Center to contact their Senate offices and encourage their Senators to oppose Sen. Cruz’s amendment.
