Senate Reaches Amendment Agreement on Farm Bill

Senate leaders were finally able to come to an agreement this week regarding the amendment process for the 2007 Farm Bill. Last month, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) failed to pass a cloture motion that would have limited debate on the bill, he removed the legislation from the Senate floor until a deal could be worked out over the more than 200 amendments. As of yesterday, Senate leaders agreed that each side can to bring 20 amendments to the floor for a vote. Although there were no votes today, debate went on regarding various amendments.

One possible amendment from Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) would create national nutrition standards for food sold in public schools. The amendment would apply these standards both to cafeteria foods sold in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, as well as to competitive foods sold outside of the cafeterias, such as in vending and soda machines. The proposed standards would supersede any state standards already in place.

At this point, neither party has released a full list of the 20 amendments they plan to offer, so it is unclear if Harkin’s amendment will come to the Senate floor. If his amendment is not included in the bill, Harkin expressed his desire to attach the amendment to another piece of legislation, possible the omnibus appropriations bill. Although debate could carry past next week, Sens. Harkin and Reid are hoping to have the bill ready for conference with the House as soon as possible, though they do not predict final passage until January.

Resources:
Kim Severson, “Effort to Limit Junk Food in Schools Faces Hurdles,” New York Times, December 2, 2007.
Catharine Richert, “Deal to Consider Amendments Could End Long Gridlock on Senate Farm Bill,” CQ Today, December 6, 2007.
Geof Koss, “Harkin Sees January Completion of Farm Bill,” Congress Now, December 7, 2007.
Author: SAS