|
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
|