2007 FARM BILL HEADS TO CONFERENCE

News Date January 07, 2008

       The House and Senate have passed their 2007 farm bills and the legislation now goes to a joint conference committee to reconcile differences between the two versions. Although there are a number of issues that need to be resolved, the  most important and difficult job will be about funding.
       Neither the House or Senate have appointed members for the conference committee. It is unclear when  they will be formally announced because the House returns to work on January 15 and the Senate on January 22. Agriculture Committee members held an informal meeting before the Christmas holiday, and congressional staff are reportedly meeting during the recess to begin work on non-controversial issues. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) told media reporters that he wants to complete work on the farm bill conference by February 1.
       The farm bill still faces a veto threat from the White House if a number of changes are not made to the legislation. After the Senate passed the farm bill on December 14, USDA Acting Secretary Chuck Conner issued a statement saying the legislation was "fundamentally flawed." He said the Senate farm bill has $22 billion in unfunded commitments and budget gimmicks, and includes $15 billion in new taxes. The White House also issued a statement that said the Senate farm bill does not represent wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The statement noted that Congress has refused to significantly limit farm income subsidies for the wealthiest Americans. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)