HARKIN MEETS WITH FARMERS AND FARM
LEADERS AS FARM BILL DEBATE RESUMES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6,
2002
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Harkin
(D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition
and Forestry Committee, today met with a group of more
than 50 farmers and farm leaders to discuss the
importance of bringing the debate on the farm bill to a
close. This afternoon the Senate will resume it's
consideration of the farm bill and Harkin as well as the
farmers in the room all expressed the need to get the
bill completed and into conference committee by the end
of next week.
"I am hopeful that today we can begin the process of
bringing the farm bill to a speedy conclusion," said
Harkin. "Farm families and rural communities need a new
farm bill they can rely on. Four consecutive years of
stop-gap emergency farm legislation have driven home the
need for a more predictable and dependable farm program.
But unless we can get some consensus to move this bill
toward its conclusion I'm afraid farm families and rural
communities may be left holding the bag."
"There is too much at stake to allow this bill to be
delayed any further. Farmers, their bankers and farm
supply businesses need certainty about the farm program
as the 2002 planting season fast approaches. Critical
farm conservation efforts are also on hold because
funding is exhausted. These are the problems facing
rural communities, and they will only worsen if
solutions are postponed."
This afternoon the full Senate will resume its
consideration of the farm bill, which was passed by the
Senate Agriculture Committee. Last December the Senate
spent three weeks debating the farm bill during which
time three major alternative amendments were soundly
defeated by bipartisan votes. However, despite a
majority of support for the bill Harkin was unable to
get consensus to bring the bill to a final vote prior to
the end of session.
"I hope we have gotten beyond the end of the year
political games that, unfortunately, killed our chances
of having a new farm bill by Christmas," said Harkin.
"Now we are in the position of having our backs to the
wall in terms of making this farm bill apply to the
upcoming crop year. Rural America needs a new
alternative, and we should do everything possible to
make sure they have one for this crop year."
Iowa farmers attending the meeting included; David
and Jody Dvorak of West Liberty, Chris Peterson of Clear
Lake, who was in Washington with the Iowa Farmers Union
and Sam Carney of Adair, Nancy Dittmer of Lacona, Scott
Tapper of Webster City and Lisa Siebrecht of Curlew who
were in Washington with the Iowa Pork Producers.
