If you've ever wondered why Iowa Senator Charles Grassley and other Midwest senators are such ardent supporters of stricter payment limits, the results of a new W.K. Kellogg Foundation study may enlighten you.
The foundation commissioned a public opinion survey of 900 registered voters in Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas. The survey was conducted June 27-30.
It found that a strong bi-partisan majority oppose any cuts in USDA jobs programs, nutrition programs and programs to protect land and water, and most would resist reductions in commodity subsidy programs. But respondents also said they would support limiting direct payments to single farms to no more than $250,000.
Two-thirds said they would be less likely to support a member of Congress who votes to cut jobs programs in rural communities, as well as environmental and nutrition programs.
“In contrast, a majority of voters in each state describe themselves as more likely to support a member who supports limiting direct payments to single farms to no more than $250,000,” the foundation said in a press release.
Voters in all three states oppose cuts in USDA programs, often by convincing margins, the foundation said. But they also support limiting direct payments to the same degree. “Notably, support for limits on single farm payments jumps to 68% among households with farm income and to 70% among Republicans.”
