Renewing and expanding these price-fixing regimes would be a devastating step backwards. The future prosperity of American farming will be built on freedom and free markets - not government control and price fixing. Milk prices rose 15 to 21 cents per gallon after implementation of the compact began on July 1, 1997.
Compacts are unconstitutional.
The compact clause of the U.S. Constitution provides for strong interstate cooperation for infrastructure needs. While there have been many compacts authorized by Congress, these are the first that operate as price fixing cartels for regional interests. Compacts undermine Freedom to Farm. Reauthorization and extension of compact authority would undermine the historic 1996 Freedom to Farm bill, which moves American agriculture away from government-controlled policies in favor of a market structure based on free markets and free trade. Boehner, who represents Ohio's 8th Congressional District, is the third-ranking member of House Agriculture Committee.