FARM BILL UPDATE
November 28, 2007
 
Senate action on the Farm Bill reauthorization seems to be held up by time constraints and the vast number of amendments. Once they return, the Senate is only scheduled to be in town for three weeks, and will be in session only Tuesday through Thursday each week. In reality, there is less than nine days to complete all of the year end business, including appropriations, possible action on the energy bill, alternative minimum tax, and possible executive nominations.  
 
Because of the hundreds of amendments that have been filed and time constraints, there will have to be an agreement limiting the number of amendments. There have been rumors of work towards an agreement of ten Republican amendments, five Democratic amendments, and two tax amendments, with potential action the first week they return. However, even with a limit of 15 amendments, presumably they would all be subject to a second degree amendment. If you consider the amount of time to debate each amendment, it is not probable that the Senate could have time for debate on possibly 30 amendments and final passage and still complete the business they need to before year’s end.  
 
Politically, many think that the signs are pointing to an extension, due to the unlikelihood of completion this year and the Presidential campaign activity at the beginning of next year. By the time Congress returns after year’s end adjournment sometime around January 22, the Iowa Caucus will have already been completed and the races will be in full swing, leading attention elsewhere, away from the Farm Bill.
 
Nothing in the Senate is impossible, so a deal could be struck and a bill passed prior to the holiday recess. However, there is still Conference with the House that must be completed. This conference could be lengthy and complicated, due to the differing funding offsets in the House and Senate bills. So even if policy agreements are reached on all of the differences, Congress is still facing the problem of coming up with approximately $15 billion in offsets that are acceptable to both the House and the Senate. In addition, Congress still faces the Administration’s veto threat. There is a long way to go from the present version of the bills to a form that is acceptable to the Administration and won’t be vetoed.
 
It is important that we remain watchful of attempts to cut and weaken the crop insurance program. Whenever the Senate considers the Farm Bill, be it next week, this year, next year, an extension, or through year-end catch all legislation, the possibility exists that Senator Brown or others might try to dismantle the crop insurance program and use it as a piggy bank for their pet projects.
 
As the year comes to a close, we will continue to keep you updated on the Farm Bill status and all other crop insurance related issues.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  
 
Brent W. Gattis
NACIA Washington Representative