Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Texas Agriculture Archive

December 7, 2001

Farm groups urge
Senate action on farm bill

Citing an "unusual display of unity," 32 farm groups on Nov. 28 urged the Senate to approve a new farm bill "without delay." The groups said it "is imperative that the Senate finish work on its bill so it can be reconciled" with the House version and enacted into law before the end of 2001.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said the broad consensus expressed by the farm groups should "convince 60 senators of the grassroots support for proceeding on the farm bill." Stallman noted that it will take 60 votes in favor of starting debate on the bill.

"We need a bill before Congress adjourns," said Stallman. "Producers need certainty and stability to plan for next year's crops."

National Farmers Union President Leland Swenson said that the 32 groups may differ on specific provisions of the farm bill, but "we all agree that a new farm law is needed to provide an economic boost to rural America. Without Senate action, farmers and ranchers will be denied a much-needed safety net during this period of depressed commodity prices. This is a stimulus package everyone should support."

The groups also urged the Senate to consider the farm bill without attaching other non-agricultural legislative initiatives, such as pending energy legislation. While agriculture strongly supports an energy bill that includes renewable energy provisions, attaching it to the farm bill won't allow for quick passage.

"An unencumbered farm bill is the only way to get the bill passed by the Senate and through a conference committee so that Congress can approve a final bill this year," the groups noted.

Meanwhile, on Nov. 27, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) filed a significantly updated, as-yet-unnumbered version of the farm bill that the Senate Agriculture Committee approved on Nov. 15. Sources say there were several changes, particularly in the dairy title, because of budget and other considerations. A determination that the proposed national dairy program would be a "revenue bill" brought major changes in dairy provisions.

Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said the farm overhaul bill is a "must pass piece of legislation." Plans were to bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote at press time. Harkin was expected to seek cloture if the bill reached the Senate floor.

"I am not sure Republicans want to vote on this bill this year," said Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.). "This thing is a total mess. There will be objections and they will have to file cloture."

Daschle also said he would delay action on a comprehensive energy bill until next year. Republicans who want an energy bill by the end of the year have promised to attach the House-passed energy bill (HR 4) to the farm bill. This would force Daschle to file cloture on the bill to end debate.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," said Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.). "I think we're mixing oil and crops."

To make sure the partisan Senate farm bill fits within the budget guidelines, Senate Agriculture Committee staffers reportedly made $11 billion to $15 billion in "technical changes" involving the dairy title and other program changes.

"I think the Republicans are going to raise a ruckus about calling an $11 to $15 billion change a technical change. They will have a field day with that," said AFBF lobbyist Mary Kay Thatcher.

The groups urging the Senate to pass a farm bill without delay included:

•Agricultural Retailers Association

•American Association of Crop Insurers

•American Bankers Association

•Alabama Farmers Federation

•American Corn Growers Association

•American Farm Bureau Federation

•American Sheep Industry Association

•American Soybean Association

•American Sugar Alliance

•CoBank

•Farm Credit Council

•Independent Community Bankers Association

•National Association of Farmer Elected Committeemen

•National Association of Wheat Growers

•National Barley Growers Association

•National Cooperative Business Association

•National Corn Growers Association

•National Cotton Council

•National Farmers Organization

•National Farmers Union

•National Grain Sorghum Producers

•National Milk Producers Federation

•National Sunflower Association

•South East Dairy Farmers Association

•Southern Peanut Farmers Federation

•The American Beekeeping Federation

•US Canola Association

•US Dry Pea and Lentil Council

•US Rice Producers Association

•United Egg Producers

•Western Peanut Growers Association

•Western United Dairymen