Washington, D.C., October 7, 2025
News Summary
House Republicans are rallying behind Representative Frank Riggs after his proposal to eliminate $42 million in federal tobacco subsidies faced pushback. Reports of tension with Speaker Newt Gingrich and Southern congressmen were downplayed by party officials. Riggs withdrew from co-authoring the amendment due to respect for fellow lawmakers and anticipates supporting it on the House floor. This amendment seeks to terminate a contentious tobacco price support program that has drawn criticism from various quarters.
Washington, D.C. – House Republicans have defended Representative Frank Riggs against reports of tension following his proposal to eliminate $42 million in federal tobacco subsidies. The allegations indicated that Riggs faced reprimands from Speaker Newt Gingrich and Southern congressmen, but party officials clarified that no such confrontation occurred.
Specifically, a spokesman for Representative Scotty Baesler, a Democrat from Kentucky, fueled speculation by suggesting that Riggs was “beaten up” by Southern Republicans. Furthermore, reports claimed that Gingrich called Riggs to his office for a reprimand. However, aides close to the situation have stated that no animosity characterized the discussions, and Riggs simply faced representatives expressing their objections to the amendment.
Riggs did not anticipate the strong pushback he received from lawmakers representing tobacco-producing states. Following these discussions, he chose to withdraw his name from the amendment for the time being but intends to support it when it reaches the House floor.
This amendment is set for review by the House Appropriations Committee, on which Riggs serves. If passed, it would terminate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s tobacco price support program, which insures tobacco crops and supports research and marketing efforts. The program costs taxpayers $42 million annually and includes a price quota designed to compensate tobacco farmers when market prices fall below specified levels.
In Kentucky alone, tobacco is valued at $850 million annually, accounting for a significant portion of the state’s agricultural output, which totals approximately $3.2 billion nationally. However, the tobacco support program has been contentious; with costs reported at $16 million for administration but yielding $30 million from taxes specifically paid by farmers for USDA services.
Critics, including aides for Southern congressmen, argue that the amendment would negatively impact small farmers and fail to benefit taxpayers as well as the tobacco industry. They pointed out that the withdrawal of Riggs from co-authorship was motivated by respect for long-time tobacco subsidy opponent Representative Richard Durbin of Illinois.
In the broader context of agriculture, Kentucky has seen a drastic decline in tobacco farms—from nearly 30,000 to fewer than 1,000—signaling growing difficulties for independent farmers. Additionally, a recent funding freeze by the USDA on several conservation programs has left many farmers anxious about their operations’ future viability amidst rising production costs and low market prices.
Farmers have expressed that the suspension of USDA payments would significantly impact their operations. The USDA confirmed a pause in funding while reviewing program alignments with new administration policies. Some of the essential programs affected include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities, with farmers who have met the contract obligations now awaiting reimbursements for incurred costs.
Overall, as agricultural receipts for Kentucky are projected to exceed $8 billion in 2024, the implications of legislative changes and funding freezes on farming and local economies become increasingly critical.
FAQ
What is the proposed amendment related to tobacco subsidies?
The proposed amendment aims to eliminate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s tobacco price support program, which currently costs taxpayers $42 million annually.
Why did Representative Frank Riggs withdraw from co-authoring the amendment?
Riggs withdrew due to pressure from Southern Republicans and out of respect for Representative Richard Durbin, a long-time opponent of tobacco subsidies.
What financial impact does the tobacco program have?
The tobacco price support program costs $42 million to operate but generates $30 million in taxes from farmers, which does not fully cover its expenses and ultimately leaves taxpayers to cover a deficit of $12 million.
How has the number of tobacco farms in Kentucky changed?
The number of tobacco farms in Kentucky has drastically declined from nearly 30,000 to fewer than 1,000, indicating significant challenges for independent farmers in the state.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Press Democrat: Reports Riggs Beat Up Over Tobacco Denied
- USA Today: Thousands of Farmers Stopped Growing Tobacco After Deregulation
- Kentucky.com: Kentucky Agriculture News
- Kentucky Living: Randy London’s Last Crop
- WBKO: Barren County Farmer Guilty in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme
- Wikipedia: Tobacco Subsidies
- Google Search: USDA Tobacco Price Support Program
- Google Scholar: Tobacco Farming Kentucky
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tobacco Cultivation
- Google News: Tobacco Industry News
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