NACIA Washington Update
September 10, 2009
 
We trust that you had an enjoyable August and Labor Day Holiday. Congress has returned from the August Recess and activity in Washington is resuming. We hope that you had an opportunity to take advantage of your Senator or Representative being back in HOME STATE and express to them the importance of the crop insurance program. That is, if you could get a word in edgewise during the health care reform debate. Just as prior to and during August, the major issue right now and in the ensuing weeks is health care reform. That being the case, there has been several items of interest to us as crop insurance agents that have recently occurred.  

Due to Senator Kennedy’s (D-MA) passing, the Chairmanship of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee has become vacant. Many expected Senator Dodd to take that position, but he has decided to remain Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. Yesterday, it was announced that Senator Harkin (D-IA) would abdicate the Chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee to take the HELP Committee Chair. Senator Lincoln (D-AR) will be the new Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The statement from her office regarding the announcement can be found at the bottom of this message, as well as Senator Harkin’s and Ranking Member Chambliss’s (R-GA) statements. Notably, Senator Lincoln will be the first person from Arkansas and first female ever to serve as Chairman.

Over in the Executive Branch, the FCIC has been preparing for their next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, in Kansas City, Missouri. Among the items on the agenda are reimbursements for tobacco, oyster, sugarcane, and apiculture products. For the full agenda, please click here.   
 
In addition, FCIC recently issued a notice regarding the finalization of regulations as part of Farm Bill implementation activity. Below is the FCIC-issued summary, and we have also posted the notice on the NACIA website HERE.  

SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) finalizes the Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement, the Group Risk Plan of Insurance Regulations, and the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Basic Provisions to revise those provisions as mandated by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The changes will apply for the 2010 and succeeding crop years for all crops with a 2010 crop year contract change date on or after the effective date of this rule and for the 2011 and succeeding crop years for all crops with a 2010 crop year contract change date prior to the effective date of this rule.
 
RMA has also issued a reminder to producers regarding the September 30 closing date for several crops in some states. The crops include alfalfa seed, barley, canola, cultivated wild rice, forage production, mint, oats, potatoes, rye, sugarcane, and wheat.  For more details regarding the states in which this closing date applies and other information, click here.
 
There have also been some USDA announcements that are of ancillary interest:

• The Administration continues to name individuals who will serve as State Directors for Rural Development and State Executive Directors for the Farm Service Agency at the USDA. For information on the individuals and their states, please click here and here.
• The Farm Service Agency announced it will add an additional weight category to the Livestock Indemnity Program for non-adult beef cattle, non-adult dairy cattle and non-adult buffalo/beefalo. Details.
• Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA will be accepting applications for approximately $18 million in grants to assist agricultural producers seeking to add value to the commodities they produce. Details.

If you have not paid your dues please submit online through the secure NACIA website or print out the membership renewal form and mail in your check. Your support is vital to insure that the interests of crop insurance agents are heard by decision-makers in Washington.

As always, if you have any questions or comments please contact us.

Brent W. Gattis
NACIA Washington Representative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2009
Contact: Katie Laning Niebaum, Leah Vest DiPietro
(202) 224-4843
Lincoln Next Chairman for Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Washington – Arkansas’s senior U.S. Senator, Blanche Lincoln, has been tapped as the next Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. In the committee’s 184-year history, Lincoln will be the first Arkansan and first female ever to serve as Chairman.
 
“As a seventh-generation Arkansan and farmer’s daughter, I know my father is smiling down on me today,” Lincoln said. “I am fortunate to have served on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry since I was first elected to the Senate in 1998. It has been a committee of significant importance to my constituents and our state’s economy. The Committee’s responsibilities encompass a number of issues that are critical to Americans, particularly those living in rural areas.  With such priorities as child nutrition reauthorization, farm bill implementation, and regulation of commodities, the Committee has a full plate.  I thank Senator Harkin for his tremendous leadership. As Chairman, I will work with my colleagues to build upon the Committee’s strong record and devote my full energy to producing forward-looking, balanced priorities on behalf of all families and communities.  I will continue to fight for the hardworking farm families and rural communities who provide the safest, most abundant and affordable supply of food and fiber in the world.”

###

Lincoln has served on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry since January 1999; has served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry, and Credit, during the current 111th Congress.
Served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Production, Income Protection, and Price Support, during the 110th Congress.
Played key role in the 2008 farm bill debate, ensuring a strong safety net for America’s farm families.
Since 2005, has served as Chair of Rural Outreach, building relationships with a broad coalition of rural advocacy groups in order to demonstrate Senate Democrats’ commitment to rural America.
Founded bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus in 2004 to help focus the Senate’s attention to the hunger that exists in this country.
As a member of the House of Representatives, Lincoln served on the House Committee on Agriculture from 1993-1995.

Senator Harkin’s statement:
 
Harkin Statement on Succession of the Senate HELP Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement regarding succession of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

"Today I am honored to accept the chairmanship of the Senate HELP Committee. To serve in this capacity is to carry on the legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy, who dedicated his life to ensuring that our economy works for all Americans, guaranteeing every child the opportunity to pursue a quality education and, of course, the cause of his life: access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. In this last endeavor, I expect to work closely with Senator Dodd, who has guided the HELP Committee so capably in reporting The Affordable Health Choice Act, and who will continue to play a leading role as health care legislation moves to the Senate floor.

"Of course agriculture will always be a key interest to my home state of Iowa, so I intend to remain a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, a Committee I have been on since I first joined the Senate in 1985. My dedication to the Agriculture Committee dates back to my first year in Congress when I served on the House Agriculture Committee in 1975. In that time, I have had the great privilege of serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee during enactment of the 2002 and 2007 farm bills - bipartisan legislation that passed this body by an overwhelming majority. It is because of these bills that support for renewable energy and support for farm income grew exponentially, acres and acres of lands have been preserved through conservation efforts, rural developments efforts grew to help small towns that Americans have access to more fruits and vegetables and food assistance is covered for American families who need it. I intend to remain a member of the Committee."

Senator Chambliss’s Statement:  

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, today issued the following statement regarding chairmanship of the Committee:

"I have truly enjoyed working with Sen. Harkin over the years on the Senate Agriculture Committee from when I served as Chairman and then when he was Chairman. We accomplished a great deal under his leadership, including reauthorizing the farm bill last year. Agriculture is one of Tom's passions and while this transition may be bittersweet for him, Iowans can be assured they will still have a strong voice on the Committee with his membership.

"I also want to congratulate Sen. Lincoln who will be the new chair of the Committee. She is perhaps one of the most well-versed members of this body when it comes to agriculture and rural policy. I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and I am confident that under her leadership, we will continue to work on behalf of all agriculture."

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