Farm Bill Remains Gridlocked in Senate
News Date November 14, 2007
The 2007 farm bill remains gridlocked in the Senate over a procedural dispute on the number and scope of amendments that can be offered (often called "filling the amendment tree"). NASDA and other agricultural organizations have sent a letter to Senate leaders urging them to move forward on the farm bill and pass legislation this year.
The "procedural standoff" began November 6 after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made a parliamentary move to limit amendments only to issues that are directly germane to the farm bill legislation. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republican lawmakers objected and said they wanted to offer amendments on estate taxes, renewable fuels, and other issues. Negotiations between the two leaders are continuing. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is working with the leadership to move the farm bill forward. Harkin and other Democrats want a "reasonable" process for amendments and believe any amendments must be relevant to the legislation. Several Republican members have said their amendments on estate taxes, renewable fuels, and other issues are relevant and important to the farm bill debate.
About 100 amendments have been filed and committee staff is working behind the scenes to reach agreement on many of these issues. However, these amendments cannot be finalized until the procedural dispute is resolved. Technically, the Senate will continue "off and on" floor discussion on the farm bill throughout this week, but will not vote on any amendments unless the procedural logjam is resolved.
Harkin's staff held a briefing for agricultural stakeholders on November 13 and emphasized that there is an urgency to move forward on the farm bill. Congress adjourns for a two-week Thanksgiving recess on November 16 and returns to work December 4. (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Jennifer Yezak)