10/02/06 Lame duck session

Congressmen and Senators up for re-election next month are on the campaign trail today. But there will be a lame duck session before Congress adjourns in December. MASLYN "Mid-November around the 13th and 14th is when they're scheduled to be back mainly to do the appropriations bills, those are the must do. The continuing resolution expires at that point so they will have to do something." Mark Maslyn is the American Farm Bureau's Public Policy Director. Maslyn says there are several pieces of legislation that farmers and ranchers want to see enacted and without delay. MASLYN "The immigration bill and that's been a very contentious issue but one that is essential for agriculture especially. Its passed both houses, very different bills and we're hopeful once they get by the election that calmer heads and cooler heads will prevail and we'll be able to put this behind us in a way that benefits agriculture as well. We also are hopeful that when they come back they'll take a look at disaster assistance for agriculture." Stay tuned to see what happens November 7th and in the lame duck session that will follow. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott