McNary–Haugen Farm Relief Bill

The McNary–Haugen Farm Relief Act, which never became law, was a controversial plan in the 1920s to subsidize American agriculture by raising the domestic prices of five crops. The plan was for the government to buy each crop and then store it or export it at a loss. It was co-authored by Charles L. McNary (R-Oregon) and Gilbert N. Haugen (R-Iowa). Despite attempts in 1924, 1926, 1927, and 1928 to pass the bill, it was vetoed by President Calvin Coolidge, and not approved. It was supported by Secretary of Agriculture Henry Cantwell Wallace and Vice President Charles Dawes.

According to the bill, a federal agency would be created to support and protect domestic farm prices by attempting to maintain price levels that existed in 1910-1914. By purchasing surpluses and selling them overseas, the federal government would take losses that would be paid for through fees against farm producers.