The Senate continued its movement toward passage of a farm bill
when the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the commodity, conservation
and miscellaneous titles out of committee on Thursday, November 15 . The
commodity title, the focus of NAWG’s concern, passed by a vote of 12-9 .
Passage followed a series of proposals and amendments to proposals as
Senators and their staff sought support. As late as Wednesday morning,
staff members from Senators Roberts, Cochran and Thomas announced a
proposal so new that the terms had not been put in writing. While the
concept of the Roberts/Cochran/Thomas bill had merit, copies of the
proposal were not available in time to be evaluated. In the interest of
reporting out a commodity title, in the hearing scheduled for the next
morning, NAWG sent a letter to Tom Daschle, the Majority Leader of the
Senate expressing support for the Harkin bill. The bill, generally
consistent with NAWG’s policy goals was seen to be more generally
“conferenceable” with the House bill. While there are elements of the bill
reported out of committee that could be improved, it was our best vehicle.
NAWG believes that it is imperative that a bill be passed this session.
The budget has reserved the funds for a farm bill that may well be
vulnerable in light of increased budget demands of security measures.
Wheat growers are planting their last crop under the expiring farm
bill.
Election year concerns may well result in a loss of focus on this
important piece of legislation.
Lenders will be requiring more certainty than producers are able to
provide without the safety net of a farm bill.
The economic downturn of the country has been experienced for the
last five years in rural communities. We need to provide some relief.
When this bill comes to the Senate floor as early as a week late this
week but more likely the first week in December, it is important that
Senate offices learn how important it is for wheat farmers to pass this
bill. A bill out of the Senate puts wheat farmers one step closer to the
security of a Farm Bill this session.
