Farm Bill House Passage
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Ag groups appear pleased with the news that the House of Representatives passed a new Farm Bill.
Northwest Horticultural Council Vice President, Riley Bushue (buh-SHOO) says he was more than happy to hear about this bit of much needed progress …
BUSHUE … “Well, it’s certainly good news. It’s an important step forward in the legislative process to get the next Farm Bill across the finish line. A lot of positive programs in the Farm Bill for tree fruit growers in the Pacific Northwest and we’ve been actively engaged in that process and we’re glad to see it moving forward. We’re looking forward to it coming up for consideration in the Senate.”
And that, Bushue says should be interesting …
BUSHUE … “The Senate has indicated that they’re going to have their own process here which is again not unusual. So, I mean, I see it as kind of a standard procedure and process-wise there, and at this point no major red flags to see as far as it moving forward. Time will tell though. Congress operates on its own schedule.”
But Bushue says if the House vote is any kind of indicator …
BUSHUE … “I think it’s a good sign it came out with a fairly strong bipartisan vote as well. A number of Democrats joined Republicans in passing that including Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez and Congresswoman Schrier here in Washington state. So, I think it’s got some good wind behind it and we look forward to it moving through the Senate.”
Bushue says he thinks there’s a positive momentum behind the Farm Bill right now and so he’s “optimistic” Congress can get this across the finish line.
