NACIA Farm Bill Update -- This Week's Wrap Up
April 18, 2008
April 18, 2008 was suppose to be do-or-die for the “2007” Farm Bill. Well, it seems as though it has lived to fight another day…. There was plenty of Farm Bill action this week, but whether that action was movement in a forward direction or around in circles remains to be seen.
Since our email on Tuesday, the Conference Committee has met, met again, scheduled a meeting, rescheduled the meeting, rescheduled the meeting again, cancelled the meeting, had private meetings with only some of the Conferees present, and met again this morning. The House has passed a one week extension (until April 25), the Senate has passed that extension, and the President reportedly has signed that extension, despite warnings Wednesday that no more short-term extensions would be signed unless significant progress has been made.
During these meetings, private and public, the House made another offer, but this time “unofficial.” It was reported that this offer is a $9.5 billion package, which would include $2 billion in disaster assistance and a $1 billion offset from the agriculture portion of the bill. It was first reported that the $1 billion offset from the agriculture portion came from cuts to direct payments, but when that met with great resistance in the Senate, House Conferees assured the Senate that was not necessarily the case.
At this morning’s meeting, Senator Harkin presented a Senate counter-offer that continues to be a $10 billion package plus the $2.4 billion in tax provisions. House Conferees continue to oppose the Senate tax provisions and many have stated that the provisions will cost more than the current score of $2.4 billion.
Several other Conferees also expressed displeasure that some of the Conference members, particularly those in charge of the non-agriculture portion of the bill (i.e. in charge of the money), were not present at the meeting. Some felt uncomfortable discussing offsets and the tax provisions without their input. Other Conferees also expressed concern that meetings have taken place without the full Conference Committee present. It was noted that all players need to be in the room at the same time to have these discussions.
The next Conference meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. Chairman Harkin informed Conferees that if there is not agreement by the Tuesday meeting, he will begin to hold votes on the remaining provisions.
Overall, we now have a one-week extension, and are still faced with the same obstacles that we have been since December – funding sources and tax provisions. Some have said that the Senate needs the tax provisions to pass the bill, and the House cannot pass the bill with them. Everyone needs the funding offsets. So staff will continue to meet and work out whatever they can while waiting for the tax issues to be worked out and for agreement to come from Ways and Means and Finance. The policy provisions regarding the crop insurance program have yet to be discussed in a public meeting, so we are keeping close tabs on the process for when they arise. We will continue to keep you updated on Conference activities, and we hope you have a great weekend.
We wanted to let you know that for your convenience, you can pay your 2008 NACIA dues online. To streamline the dues process, we are transitioning to a first quarter annual dues request. If you paid your 2007 dues during the subsequent quarters last year, we apologize. However, this is necessary to continue to improve NACIA as an organization and enhance its ability to better serve crop insurance agents and act as the only voice speaking solely on behalf of agents. Your support is vital during this tenuous time, as the crop insurance program is being looked at as a funding source for other Farm Bill provisions.
If you would prefer to pay by check, the link will also take you the membership form, which can be printed, filled out, and mailed in with your payment.
Brent W. Gattis
NACIA Washington Representative
http://www.nacia.org/membership.html
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