Congress Trying to Get Administration on Board with Farm Bill (1/18/2008)

Members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry are appealing to the nominee for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer (R), to help smooth relations between the White House and Congress regarding the Farm Bill. The Administration continues to show contempt for the two bills as they currently stand. As Congress prepares to go to conference on the two bills, they would prefer not to have the President hanging over negotiations wielding veto threats.

Acting Agriculture Secretary, Chuck Conner, recently reiterated the White House’s veto threat against the Congressional proposals. Both the House and Senate fought hard to pass their respective bills, and are facing a rough conference to reconcile the two versions of the largest agricultural piece of legislation. Congressional leaders are hopeful that the new Secretary will prove more accommodating. To help smooth over relations, Senators are calling for an expedited confirmation for Schafer, hoping he will return the favor by working with Congress on the Farm Bill.

Meanwhile, school nutrition advocates continue to issue their support for the various proposals in the two different Farm Bills, including an expansion of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) that could provide over $1 billion over the next five years. However, a majority of advocacy efforts are focused on getting the bill through conference and final Congressional approval. If Congress cannot come to terms with the White House, those efforts may prove fruitless.

Resources:
Geof Koss, “Senators Press Nominee for Ag Secretary to Ease Farm Bill Standoff,” Congress Now, January 25, 2008.
Author: SAS