Farm Bill Faces Veto Threat (1/11/2008)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Conner, released statements on Tuesday reiterating the Bush Administration’s threat to veto the 2007 Farm Bill unless Congress makes significant changes. Citing concerns over the bills’ reliance on tax increases to fund programs, as well as “trade-distorting” provisions in the measures, Secretary Conner warned that Congress has a ways to go before the Farm Bill can be signed into law.

The Senate passed its version of the bill last month, finally setting the table for a conference on the largest agricultural bill in the country. Although both the House and Senate proposed expansions for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Senate staffers seem confident that the Senate’s version will appear in the final version of the bill. This proposal expands the FFVP into every state, directing $225 million for the program in fiscal year 2008, if the funding is available. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) claims it will lead to about $1.1 billion for FFVP over five years.

Congressional negotiators hope to have the Farm Bill ready for final approval in both bodies by February 1st. However, this timetable may not reflect the time it could take to make the necessary changes to get it past the President. Congress reconvenes next Tuesday, allowing lawmakers less than a month before this self-imposed deadline.

The current majority in Congress will not likely wish to start the new session of Congress off with a vetoed Farm Bill, so negotiations may pick up quite a bit in the next few weeks to try to find common ground with the White House. As evidenced by the battle over fiscal year 2008 appropriations, Congress now realizes that this President is still relevant, and must be included in any considerations regarding the passage of any major piece of legislation through the end of his term.

Resource:
Geof Koss, “Acting Ag Secretary Reiterates Farm Bill Veto Threat,” Congress Now, January 8, 2008.
Author: SAS