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Behind closed doorsBy Seymour Klierly Oh, how I wish I were a fly on the wall during these closed door farm bill meetings. Over the last several days the "four principals" of ag policy have met numerous times in an effort to split the $10 billion in additional farm bill money across multiple programs. On Tuesday they went public with their so-called funding framework. As a background note, the "four principals" are the House and Senate Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Agriculture Committees. Immediately Senate Chairman Tom Harkin issued a statement lauding the effort as "a strong framework..." and "a reflection of the bipartisan, bicameral cooperation..." However, he must not have run this strong framework by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, whose committee just so happens to be providing the money for this framework. Chairman Baucus quickly released his own statement calling the proposal "dead on arrival." Chairman Baucus is upset because his top priority, a permanent disaster program, was cut in half under this funding framework. At the same time, Chairman Harkin's top priority, the Conservation Security Program, remained fully funded. Surely Chairman Harkin had to know this would upset his colleague. Unlike in the House, in the Senate just one disgruntled member can force a 60 vote threshold on any piece of legislation. This framework would guarantee a filibuster from not just one but several senators and I seriously doubt Chairman Harkin has enough political sway to convince 59 of his colleagues to join him and oppose Chairman Baucus and the other heavy hitters standing in his corner. Reaction to this framework on the House side has been rather quiet. No real statements were issued from either Chairman Collin Peterson or Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte. According to those near the closed door meetings but not inside them, their priorities are taken care of in this framework. There's more money for nutrition, more money for the EQIP conservation program, and more money for increases in the target prices and loan rates for a few crops. Chairman Peterson and Rep. Goodlatte are just sitting back and watching the senators duke it out. The intent of this framework was to help move the process along more quickly, with hopes of having a bill completed by the new April 18th deadline. However, I have a feeling that by not including at least the Finance Chairman and others in the discussion, this framework will set progress back several days. If I were Chairman Harkin, who is supposedly the head of the conference committee, I would reach out to my fellow chairman and do a little fence mending. After all, the clock is ticking and without additional money from the Finance Committee, it doesn't look like this bill is going anywhere. 3/24/08 Date: 3/19/08 Advertisement
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