Speculation Continues on Senate Farm Bill Schedule
News Date September 17, 2007
There is much speculation in Congress and among agricultural organizations about the timetable for Senate action on the 2007 farm bill. Current farm bill law will expire September 30 and many farm state lawmakers believe an extension on the 2002 legislation may be necessary.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has said that a markup on the farm bill has been scheduled for the week of September 17 with the expectation that full Senate action would follow soon afterward. Harkin has not yet released his farm bill proposals. However, "discussion" drafts of various titles, including the conservation and energy proposals, have been circulated to committee members and agricultural organizations for comment. On September 6, several news organizations reported on a draft proposal for the commodity title, although the document was not officially released by the committee. The proposal would continue direct payments at current level and base countercyclical payments on revenue. It also calls for a supplemental crop insurance program to replace ad hoc disaster assistance.
Many congressional observers believe the Senate's farm bill timetable depends on when the budget and finance panels determine how much funding will be provided. Meanwhile, the legislation and schedule remain a moving target. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)