Wheat industry has friends on Super Committee
Farm and Ranch August 18, 2011 The recent debt ceiling deal created the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction which is charged with identifying an additional 1.2 trillion dollars in spending cuts or revenue measures over the next ten years. It is a 12 member committee with six Republicans and six Democrats. Six members from each chamber. Mark Gaede with the staff of the National Association of Wheat Growers, says there is reason to be optimistic about the members selected for the super committee as it pertains to wheat. Gaede: “Well, I think, especially with Senator Baucus on the panel, and also with Senator Murray, we have two senators who are from pretty heavy wheat producing states. And especially Senator Baucus, who is also on the Senate Agriculture Committee, is very familiar with farm programs, is very supportive of the farm safety net. As is Senator Murray. And Senator Kerry has been very supportive in the past too.” Gaede says they feel pretty good about being able to make their case. Gaede: “That whatever budget decisions are decided, there needs to be enough resources so that we can craft a farm bill in 2012 that will provide a very strong safety net for our members. And this is sort of the argument we will be making to them.” If the committee reaches an agreement the House and Senate can only vote up or down, no amendments. If there is no agreement or Congress fails to pass it, 1.2 trillion dollars in cuts are automatically triggered. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net. ? ?
