FARM BILL NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE
News Date February 18, 2008
Congressional agriculture leaders and the Bush administration are continuing to hold intense negotiations on the 2007 farm bill. Lawmakers are working hard to reach a compromise and pass legislation before the current Farm Bill expires on March 15.
Both House and Senate Agriculture Committee chairmen have released new farm bill spending proposals in recent days. On February 13, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and ranking member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) announced a farm bill spending framework that was offered to the Senate. The funding framework includes policy proposals that could reduce funding for the House-passed farm bill to a level that would be $6 billion over the baseline cost. It includes reforms sought by the administration and does not include any tax increases which have been cited by President Bush in his veto threats. The framework also authorizes farm bill programs fo ten years, instead of five.
Late February 15, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) made a counteroffer and proposed farm bill spending of $12.3 billion above the baseline over five years. Harkin released a statement saying that the spending level is critical for farmers and rural America, but also the nation as a whole.
The House and Senate proposals only outline budget numbers and do not spell out detailed policy changes. At press time, lawmakers were continuing negotiations. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)