The Hill News

The sign of any successful policy is one under which all parties affected by it are able to succeed and thrive. It is how Congress attempts to structure all pieces of legislation. Although as a former House Member, I can attest that this goal is often unrealized as unforeseen factors come into play and unintended consequences crop up.  


That has not been the case with America’s sugar policy. 

Since the 2008 Farm Bill, you would be hard pressed to find anyone struggling with the outcome. First, taxpayers have succeeded.  Sugar policy operates at no cost to taxpayersâ€"an anomaly in today’s budget atmosphere. And according to projections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will continue to cost $0 through at least 2021.  


The family farms and small businesses that comprise the U.S. sugar industry have likewise succeeded. After years of plant closures caused by stagnant, low sugar pricesâ€"nearly 40 plants have closed since 1994â€! "sugar producers have rebounded. In fact, after losing more than 100,000 sugar-related jobs since 1994, a new study by LMC International shows the industry holding steady with 142,000 good-paying U.S. jobs and $20 billion in economic activity. 

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