Legislative Clarity

LEGISLATIVE CLARITY--Trying to answer questions about and stem criticism of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's farm bill proposals, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns met with members of the North American Agricultural Journalists during the group's recent fly-in to Washington. Johanns told the journalists that payment limits on adjusted gross incomes over $200,000 placed in the proposal have created much confusion, primarily over the difference between gross income and adjusted gross income. (Journal photos by Larry Dreiling.)

FROM THE HILL--Members of the North American Agricultural Journalists recently made a trip to Capitol Hill to hear from legislative leaders. Here is a summary of what the journalists heard. (Journal photos by Larry Dreiling.)

#22 Saxby Chambliss

CONGRESS DISPOSES--While it is proper for the administration to consult with Congress about farm legislation, Sen. Saxby Chambliss calls the idea of the U.S. Department of Agriculture drafting actual farm bill legislation "inappropriate." The Georgia Republican, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said: "Congress writes the farm bill. Now they're sending over their own draft legislation. It's they're job to consult with us on the farm bill."

#25 Kent Conrad

SEEKING A BALANCE--Senate Budget Committee chairman, Kent Conrad said the commodity title of the 2007 requires a balanced approach in order for all producers to remain profitable. The North Dakota Democrat called for a permanent disaster assistant program as a way of improving risk management, particularly when crop insurance falters under the weight of multi-year persistent losses. While a strong proponent of a balanced budget, Conrad was quick to tell critics of farm payments: "If they think they are going to sell out farmers, that's not going to work."

#26 Rosa DeLauro

OVERSIGHT, AT LAST--After six years without any financial oversight hearings, House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee chair, Rosa DeLauro said she planned three hearings between now and summer in conjunction with the debate over the 2007 farm bill. The Connecticut Democrat said she would conduct hearings into how funds for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Agriculture Service and the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are managed.

#27 Tom Harkin

WHOEVER PROPOSES--Senate Agriculture Committee chairman, Tom Harkin of Iowa said he welcomes the Bush administration's submission of farm bill legislation. "I think it's very appropriate and I see nothing wrong with it," Harkin said. "If someone at USDA or elsewhere wants to do the work of proposing legislation, to do my work or the work of my staff then that's fine with me."

#28 Collin Peterson

ETHANOL FIGHT--"When the oil industry gives up their subsidies, the ethanol industry will give up theirs," House Agriculture Committee chairman, Collin Peterson of Minnesota said at a recent briefing with the North American Agricultural Journalists. Peterson said the opportunities for farmer profitability in biofuels will eventually spread to many kinds of crops besidescornand soybeans. "Soon, we could reprice agriculture, because we won't be just talking prices for our crops, but setting them."

Date: 5/3/07

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