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NCGA
Sets Legislative Agenda for Fall Congressional Session (8-27-01)
Congress
will conclude its August recess this week, and will reconvene in Washington
on Sept.5. Although the hearing rooms on Capitol Hill have been vacant
for several weeks, NCGA has remained "on the job," preparing
for a busy legislative agenda.
"Congress
has set a target adjournment of Oct. 5, which provides precious little
time to complete the remaining FY 2002 appropriations bills and other
high-profile initiatives that were not finished prior to the Aug. 3
adjournment," said NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Bruce Knight.
"A number of Washington observers believe, however, that congressional
leadership will push adjournment well past Oct. 5."
Knight
noted that, regardless of the extent to which Congress expands the legislative
calendar, NCGA has scripted its legislative game plan for the next few
months, and it includes the farm bill, ethanol and trade promotion authority.
"When
Congress gets back to work, significant action could occur on the farm
bill," said Knight. "In terms of a completed bill, the House
Agriculture Committee is considerably ahead of its Senate counterpart,
but both committees could meet in conference committee to resolve differences
by the end of September."
On
the issue of ethanol, NCGA is looking at two Senate Committees - Energy
and Environment & Public Works. Both committees will mark up bills
that will merit corn growers' scrutiny and involvement. "NCGA's
ultimate goal is to incorporate a renewable fuels standard into the
energy bill that is eventually adopted," Knight explained.
Regarding
trade promotion authority (TPA), NCGA is prepared to lobby Congress
on granting TPA powers to the president, Knight said, adding that NCGA
has launched a direct mail campaign targeting growers in selected congressional
districts. The administration is now hoping to schedule a vote on TPA
late next month.
For
the balance of this week, "News of the Day" will provide a
more in-depth assessment of how the farm bill, ethanol and trade promotion
each could fare in Washington during the fall months.
Last
reviewed August 27, 2001
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