Farm Bill Likelihood Pt 1

From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. With Congress back in session, many are waiting patiently to see if or what gets done with regards to a new Farm Bill that was given an extension in the last session.

Tyson Redpath, Principal with the Russell Group, says it won’t be easy, but it is doable …

REDPATH … “The biggest incumbrances right now are really two things: one, the math of the House of Representatives. With the retirement of Bill Johnson, from Ohio, the House majority could potentially be down to 219 seats. To have the majority you need 218 seats, so you have a margin of one.”

Which alone, Redpath says makes it interesting, but …

REDPATH … “And then the other complicating factor is quite frankly the committees just haven’t moved. The Agriculture Committees have not moved a bill and, you know, I guess for what it’s worth, I would encourage the committees to begin their work.”

It’s really, Redpath says that simple …

REDPATH … “Do not let perfect be the evil of the good. The committee process is there. It’s there for a reason. It’s there to consider, vet, debate, tweak, that’s how Farm Bills get done.”

Tune in tomorrow for more on the likelihood of getting a new Farm Bill done this year and what it will take to get there in an election year.