U.S. Representative John Boehner
Recap of the 23rd annual 8th District Farm Forum

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today released the following column about the 23rd annual 8th District Farm Forum, which he hosted on Saturday, March 1, at Edison Community College in Piqua. Full text of the column is included below:

"Each year for the past 23 years, I’ve hosted the 8th District Farm Forum, where agriculture experts from various sectors come together and discuss the issues impacting this vital industry with our local agriculture community. With more than 5,000 farms covering more than 1 million acres, agriculture is a pillar of our economy here in the 8th District.

“In order to help our local farmers understand the new farm bill, the panel of agriculture experts this year focused on the 2014 Farm Bill. I am glad we passed a farm bill that streamlines agricultural programs and ensures that families in need get the help they deserve – all while saving taxpayers billions and without earmarks.

“While the new farm bill is not perfect – no legislation is – many people agreed that it is a step in the right direction.

“Beyond the Farm Bill, as I talked with dozens of our friends and neighbors at Farm Forum, many echoed the concerns I’ve heard during my recent stops throughout the district. People are tired of the ‘new normal’ under the Obama Economy.

“The president’s failed policies are getting in the way of growing our economy. From our farms to our factories to our small businesses, the message across the 8th District is clear: the president’s policies are not growing the economy, producing higher wages, or producing enough jobs.

“And I’m hearing more and more stories about how the president’s health care law, specifically, is causing a lot of employers in our local area to sit on their hands. ‘We recently had to make the decision to stop providing health care to our employees due to ObamaCare,’ a local job creator told me at Farm Forum. I used to run a small business, and I understand those stories. Unfortunately, that business owner is not alone.

“According to a new report released quietly by the Obama administration’s own Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 65 percent of small businesses will see a spike in insurance premiums because of the president’s health care law. The only reason we have this CMS report is because I demanded it from the administration years ago, and I’m going to keep holding the president accountable for the health care law’s devastating impact on our economy.

“As I’ve said before, we don’t have to settle for this. That’s why as your representative, I remain focused on promoting policies that would help improve our economy, increase wages, and help people get a better job. In the House, we recently voted on bills to stop government abuse and cut red tape that is undermining the economy. That’s in addition to the dozens of jobs bills we’ve passed, but they are stuck in the Democratic-controlled Senate. You can track those jobs bills by visiting www.speaker.gov/jobs.

“It’s an honor to represent the farmers, small business owners, and manufacturers who make Ohio’s 8th Congressional District so great. I can assure you, I’ll keep fighting for our local area. Along the way, I want to hear from you, so please feel free to keep in touch by e-mailing me at www.johnboehner.house.gov or giving my district office a call at 937-339-1524.”