04/15/08 Washington Congresswoman says get farm bill done

Washington Ag April 15, 2008 Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers message to that House-Senate Conference Committee trying to come up with a new farm bill is basically "get her done." McMorris Rodgers: "My main message to the Conference Committee is simply the importance of getting a farm bill. We have waited long enough. The 2002 Farm Bill expired in 2007. We have had short term extensions and it is vitally important that we get a farm bill as soon as possible. The closer we get to November and election day the harder it will be to get a bill through the House and Senate. And our farmers are in the field. They are planting right now and it is time for Congress to act." McMorris Rodgers does not serve on the House Agriculture Committee but was appointed to the farm bill conference committee because of the interest in the legislation a committee she does serve on has. That's the House Natural Resources Committee. The Conference Committee on the 2007 Farm Bill held its second formal session Monday. There are differences between the two chambers on just how much above baseline can be spent on the farm bill and whether a permanent disaster program should be included. The Administration has also threatened a veto it some of its goals for new farm legislation are not met. I'm Bob Hoff.