A Gnat on an Elephant?

The Farm Bill looks to be closer to getting passed. After getting log jammed around a variety of economic and political issues, it looks to be headed out of committee next week. While President Bush is apparently still threatening to veto it, and while the Congressman in our area, Randy Neugebauer, has threatened to lead an over-ride of the veto, we'll just have to wait and see.

According to Senator Grassley of Iowa, the bill addresses the major issues pushed by the president, but is apparently still very far short of reform. Among other things, still the wealthiest of farmers continue to get subsidies while President Bush wanted limits on subsidies. According to Grassley and his list of top ten reforms in the farm bill, it is a "good faith" effort on behalf of Congress to get it done.

At the bottom of Grassley's top ten list is the one that jumps out as relative to these pages, "provides for right of action for Pigford Claims Act." Late claimants number approximately 75,000 black farmers who were denied access to the Pigford Consent Decree. What is right about this provision is that it acknowledges the problem; what it doesn't provide is a clear vision for righting the wrongs. It just opens up the possibility for wrongs to be righted. Let's all hope, and pray, and lobby for this provision to stand out loud and clear.

Other provisions of the bill allow for special consideration for socially disadvantaged farmers and first time farmers. Those are good things, but are they enough?

Here's the link to Grassley's page which will list in more detail his top ten reforms of the bill.

Here's what our area congressman wrote in his post to constituents yesterday:

NEUGEBAUER HAILS COMPLETION OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE 2008 FARM BILL; CALLS FOR FARM BILL HARVEST

“The seeds have been planted; now we must prepare to harvest. It is time to roll up our sleeves and take this to the finish line”

WASHINGTON, DC – As the conference committee wrapped up an agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill Conference Committee Report, Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) released the following statement:

“I am pleased the conference committee was able to reach agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill. This is a substantial step towards this legislation becoming law. Seed has been planted across America, and it is time to set a farm policy that gives producers certainty for this crop season and beyond. As final language and budget numbers are completed, it is my expectation that the House and Senate will vote on this final Farm Bill package next week.

“While this legislation will make some changes I do not support, farm policy overall will remain very similar to policy under the 2002 Farm Bill, which producers across the district tell me has suited them well. Because of the delay in completing this legislation, no major changes will be implemented for the 2008 crop year.

“I call on the House and Senate leadership to bring this long overdue legislation to the respective chambers for consideration as soon as possible. Additionally, I spoke directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and the White House yesterday to stress the importance of signing this bill into law.

“While only 16 percent of this bill deals directly with agriculture production, it is that 16 percent that serves as the vehicle for the various other provisions in the bill. Without food production, nutrition and food assistance programs become irrelevant.

“In the 19th Congressional District, producers have crops in the ground and throughout the nation the planting season is well underway. We cannot afford to move forward without a sound farm policy for our producers. Without it, we face the risk of losing agriculture infrastructure and becoming dependent on other nations for food and fiber as we already are for energy.

“Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and finally take this long overdue legislation across the finish line. Again, I urge both the Senate and House leadership to bring this to a vote as soon as possible and ask that my colleagues support this critical legislation. Most importantly, I call on President Bush to sign this bill as soon as it reaches his desk. Should the President decide to veto this legislation, I will vote to override his veto and will encourage my colleagues to do so as well.”
###