WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2018 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I") today released the following statement on the passage of a Farm Bill that supports the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP):
“The Big 'I' applauds the Senate for passage of a bipartisan Farm Bill that does not include cuts to the crop insurance program," says Charles Symington, Big “I" senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs. “The Big 'I' supports a strong crop insurance program and opposed two amendments to the Farm Bill that would have increased the cost of crop insurance for farmers. Over 12,000 insurance agents assist farmers in obtaining crop insurance every year, and crop insurance is a critical risk management tool for farms of all types and sizes."
The Senate passed S. 3042, the “Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018," by Sens. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) by a vote of 86 to 11. The bill included a wide range of provisions that impact farmers, the rural economy, and food and nutrition programs. The bill also includes an important provision to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through the end of 2018. The NFIP is currently scheduled to lapse at the end of July.
“In addition to the strong support for the crop insurance program in the Farm Bill, the Big 'I' appreciates the efforts of Sens. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) to extend the flood insurance program", says Jennifer Webb, Big “I" counsel, federal government affairs. “The Big 'I' looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to ensure that the NFIP does not lapse and to get a Farm Bill that recognizes the tremendous value of crop insurance to the President's desk."
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I") is the nation's oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of approximately a quarter of a million agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products.
# # #