Congressional Recess Provides Opportunity for Grower Involvement on NCGA Issues (5-27-05)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reminds its members that many senators and congressmen will be in their home districts during the congressional recess May 27 - June 6 providing an opportunity to ask for support of NCGA’s key policy and legislative goals.

“Many senators and congressmen will be doing town meetings, listening sessions and other activities that will give our members the opportunity to convey our policy and legislative goals,” said NCGA President Leon Corzine.

Corzine is encouraging corn growers and state associations to seek out members of Congress during the recess and urge the following:

• Pass an energy bill. Long overdue, an energy bill containing a renewable fuels standard benefits corn growers as well as every American. The Senate likely will take up its bill in late June. The House has already passed its version.
• Approve the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA levels the playing field for U.S. agriculture and could increase U.S. agriculture exports by $1.5 billion when fully implemented. NCGA anticipates the House and Senate will act on CAFTA in June.
• Improve river transportation infrastructure through lock modernization. The Water Resources Development Act has passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the full Senate could take up the bill soon. The House Transportation Committee will act on the bill the last week in June and the full House could act on the legislation in July.

ST. LOUIS OFFICE

WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE