Lawmakers Discuss Farm Bill Funding
News Date February 20, 2007
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson (D-Minn.) and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) testified before the House Budget Committee on February 14 to outline the funding needs for the upcoming 2007 farm bill.
The Agriculture Committee leaders urged the Budget Committee to increase the financial resources available for this year's farm bill proposals over the amount provided in the most recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline. The lawmakers noted that resources are needed to help farmers and ranchers comply with the complex and costly web of federal regulation that govern land use. They also said the 2007 farm bill debate will include new proposals that will require additional resources, such as facilitating investments in the expanding agriculturally-based renewable energy market, including ethanol and biodiesel.
During NASDA's Midyear Meeting, members approved a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Committees on the Budget asking them to support additional spending levels, above the current baseline. These resources are needed in order for the next farm bill to provide economic, energy, and environmental benefits to our nation while also providing the resources for food security, nutrition, conservation, rural development, and other critical priorities. (Contact: Charlie Ingram and Jennifer Yezak)