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Starting lineupsDuring the peak of Michael Jordan's career with the Chicago Bulls, fans were treated to not only "Air" Jordan's remarkable moves on the court, but also a spectacular introduction of the players just before tip off. The stadium lights would go dark, the video screen would flash highlights of each player, and then quickly the stadium was returned to complete darkness. Suddenly a lone spotlight would appear aimed at center court and accompanied by fireworks. Then one by one, the announcer would read off in his deepest, most spirited voice the names of the starting lineup, culminating in announcement of that famous number 23. Every high school, college, and professional sporting event today attempts to recreate the excitement generated by such an elaborate introduction ceremony. These new introductory rituals inspire the players, coaches, and fans and help generate excitement and enthusiasm around the game. While some view the act of passing the farm bill as a sport, there is a stark contrast between the introductions at a basketball game and the introductions of Senators selected to be on the conference committee. Late in the evening Feb. 4, as action on the Senate floor wound down, sandwiched between other procedural announcements, the clerk read off a list of eleven names in about five seconds. Those eleven will serve on the conference committee for H.R. 2419, the farm bill. Without fireworks, or spotlights, or spirited inflection in the voice of the announcer, the Senate took the first step toward finishing a farm bill. Chairman Tom Harkin leads the Democrats with Patrick Leahy, Kent Conrad, Max Baucus, Blanche Lincoln, and Debbie Stabenow. The shorthanded Republicans are led by Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss, with Richard Lugar, Thad Cochran, Pat Roberts, and Chuck Grassley filling out the team. Because the Democrats have a majority of members in the Senate, they have an additional conferee. These eleven Senators form a motley crew representing many divergent interests all competing for the same pot of money. Conservation, organic, specialty crop, and milk programs will butt heads with more traditional farming interests over commodity title funding. Payment limits and an adjusted gross income cap will find support and opposition from both parties. These are just a few of the volatile issues up in the air once tip-off begins. Speaker Pelosi and House Ag Chairman Collin Peterson have yet to appoint their conferees but now that the Senate is ready to go, the pressure on Pelosi and Peterson grows by the day. There are five weeks left before the current farm bill expires. The House was first to pass a farm bill and then spent months criticizing the Senate for moving so slowly. The real question is why the House is stalling. Some insiders point to the fact that when the House appoints conferees, the floor will be open to motions to instruct those conferees. Motions to instruct are meant to provide guidance to House conferees on what to fight for during negotiations. The now left leaning House floor may instruct their conferees to fight for even more funding for Food Stamps or less funding for traditional farm programs. This could prove problematic for completing a farm bill by March 15. Even though these motions are non-binding, when or if a conference report comes back that doesn't meet those instructions, House members may be inclined to vote no. Pelosi and Peterson may be stalling to avoid this situation. By stalling, they may be hoping to reach a back door agreement with the White House and the Senate without going to a conference committee. If they reach an agreement, then they may be able to fend off any motions to instruct and quickly pass a final bill. This strategy's chances of success are similar to that of Ron Paul becoming our President. Now that the starting line up for the Senate has been announced, hopefully the announcement of the House players will soon follow. The clock shows only five weeks left to write, pass, and get a bill signed by the President. The clock's ticking and nobody's moving. 2/11/08 Date: 2/6/08
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