
Checkoff program critics eye farm bill to win new restrictions
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 • 1 PM
Critics of commodity checkoffs are making a fresh run at imposing new restrictions on the programs, including a prohibition on contracting research and promotion work out to organizations that lobby Congress or federal agencies. The Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act, which was debated during consideration of the 2018 farm bill and reintroduced since then, is sponsored by an unlikely assortment of lawmakers from both ends of the political spectrum. Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Cory Booker, D-N.J., are leading the push in the Senate, while Reps. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Dina Titus, D-Nev., have proposed the bill in the House.

