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NCGA
Expects Farm Bill Activity Expected to Gain Momentum in September (8-31-01)
When
Congress returns from recess to resume work, progress toward a completed
farm bill could accelerate. Currently, the House Agriculture Committee
is ahead of the Senate Agriculture Committee in terms of completing
a bill. The House Ag Committee has finished working on its version of
the bill.
National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Public Policy Vice President Bruce Knight
said, "We believe the House Ag Committee will attempt to complete
and move the bill quickly, because budget constraints require them to
identify how the money will be used."
NCGA
has not endorsed the House version of the farm bill, because it was
written with a fundamental bias against corn and soybean farmers, Knight
noted. House floor action on this bill is possible during the week of
September 10.
Knight
said because the House Agriculture Committee's version of the farm bill
does not favor corn, crafting a farm bill that resembles the NCGA's
proposal lies with the Senate Agriculture Committee. Chairman Tom Harkin
(D-IA) has indicated that his committee will deliver a draft farm bill
by the end of September.
"Our
prospects for equitable treatment are brighter in the Senate, because
the corn belt states are much better represented in the Senate Ag Committee
than in the House Ag Committee," Knight added. "To maximize
our leverage, leaders representing corn and soybeans have been meeting
to discuss how we can marshall our support."
For
more information on NCGA's perspective on the farm bill , visit the
NCGA website at http://www.ncga.com/farmbill/main/index.html.
Last
reviewed August 31, 2001
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