NASDA Urges Senate Action on Farm Bill This Year
News Date December 05, 2007
NASDA signed on to a letter with 18 other agricultural groups and organizations last week to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urging them to complete work on the 2007 farm bill before the end of the year. Among the groups signing the letter are the American Soybean Association; the National Farmers Union; the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance; and the National Association of Conservation Districts. The letter is posted on NASDA's website.
The organizations are disappointed that the Senate was unable to complete work on the 2007 farm bill prior to the Thanksgiving recess. They further pointed out in the letter that the legislation reported by the Senate Committee on Agriculture has broad support throughout U.S. agriculture and rural America, and in the nutrition, conservation, and energy communities. In addition, the groups support enacting new farm legislation rather than extending the 2002 farm bill.
Senate leaders are continuing negotiations on a process to consider the farm bill with a limited number of amendments. If senators can agree to a list of amendments, the Senate could possibly complete the farm bill within two to four days. The new year would bring forth a conference committee to complete action on the 2008 farm bill. (Contacts: Jennifer Yezak or Charlie Ingram)