NCGA Concerned That Shrinking Budget Surplus Casts Uncertainty on Farm Bill (9-6-01)

With Congress back in Washington this week, speculation is running rampant over the ramifications that the declining budget surplus will have on the farm bill and other high-profile legislative initiatives.

In recent days, several members of Congress who hold leadership positions have publicly voiced doubts over the passage of such initiatives as the farm bill, prescription drugs and even defense spending.

"There are other voices in Congress, however, who believe the money will be available to write the next farm bill with the full $73.5 billion that was appropriated in the budget resolution passed a few months ago," said NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Bruce Knight. "I think what you're seeing now can be partly explained by competing special interests vying for a piece of the budget."

Another issue that poses an obstacle to passage of the farm bill, said Knight, is the legislative calendar. The target date for adjournment is Oct. 5, leaving little time for Congress to pass 13 appropriations bill for fiscal year 2002 spending. Congress is also set to consider the farm bill, energy legislation and trade promotion authority (TPA) - and that is just the agenda for agriculture.

"Other issues on which the voters want action include the patients bill of rights, prescription drugs and education," Knight add. "I hear rumblings that Congress will stay in town beyond the Oct. 5 target adjournment date; perhaps far beyond."

For more information on NCGA's farm bill work, visit the NCGA web site.

Last reviewed September 6, 2001