Farm BIll Cracks
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. New cracks are starting to appear after months of partisan resistance to a farm bill deal on Capitol Hill. That, as pressure from farm interests reaches a boiling point.
The cracks weren’t big, but they were noticeable …
THOMPSON … “For those who believe the only path forward with the time we have remaining in this Congress is informal pre-conference negotiation with the Senate, that is not my preferred option. But it is one I’m willing to entertain.”
House Ag Chair Glen Thompson’s saying that was clear evidence of just how much pressure he’s under from hundreds of farm and Ag-related groups. But he’s not alone in changing his tune. Ranking Ag Democrat David Scott …
SCOTT … “Commodity prices are not keeping up with higher input and credit costs. That is where we are, and why we need to address this issue to help our farmers.”
That’s a sea change from Scott’s months of loudly defending
Democrats’ ‘red line’ against paring SNAP benefits …
SCOTT … “It is clear that we need to come together, Republicans and Democrats, on a farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net, and we are going to do it together.”
Scott said he was sincere amid a “desperate time situation” but added that finding enough money is still the main stumbling block and Thompson’s bill to limit the use of CCC funds is not the answer.
