Obama slams Ryan over farm bill fiasco

President Obama delivers his weekly address, on the drought crisis. President Obama was already on top of the drought crisis, delivering his weekly address on the topic, focusing on the efforts his administration is undertaking to try to help farmers and ranchers. But, today in Iowa, Obama took aim at the do-nothing Republican House that's been playing politics with the farm bill, and laid the blame at the feet of the guy who's causing the problem: Paul Ryan.

"The best way to help these states is for leaders in Congress to pass a farm bill that not only helps farmers and ranchers respond to natural disasters, but also makes necessary reforms and gives them some long-term certainty. But right now, too many members of Congress are blocking that bill from becoming law. Now, I'm told Governor Romney's new running mate might be around Iowa these next few days. And he's one of those leaders of Congress standing in the way. So if you happen to see Congressman Ryan, tell him how important this farm bill is to Iowa and our rural communities. It's time to put politics aside and pass it right away."

Ryan and his Randian wrecking crew have taken the farm bill hostage, making this the first time in modern history Congress has failed on a farm bill and failed to create a bipartisan consensus to pass one. The majority Ryan faction demands more and more cuts, and Boehner is too weak willed to fight him, so they don't work on the bill at all.

The biggest fight in trying to create a consensus on the bill is over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps. Ryan's budget sets a benchmark for cutting the program $133.5 billion, or 17 percent, over 10 years. The Agriculture Committee passed cuts Ryan and his pals consider inadequate, $16 billion, and they're demanding more, upwards of $30 billion. And millions more going hungry.

The Obama administration is taking action to help farmers and ranchers, with emergency declarations and low-interest loans and borrowing from programs where they can to provide $30 million in emergency aid. But $30 million isn't going to go that far considering the extent of the disaster.

But here's the bottom line: House Republicans haven't done their job and passed a bill to help hurting farmers and ranchers because Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick, thinks the bill they have before them now doesn't make enough people go hungry.