07/27/07 Tax brings partisanship to farm bill debate

Wash Ag July 27, 2007 Farm bills are generally bipartisan efforts in Congress with differences falling more along regional and commodity lines. And on the House floor Thursday Washington Republican Congressman Doc Hastings praised the work and product of the House Agriculture Committtee. Hastings: "I am pleased that the underlying bill, the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act, as approved by the committee, recognizes the needs of specialty crop producers." But when the proposed farm bill came out of the Rules Committee it contained a Democratic plan for a tax on foreign companies with operations in the U.S. to help fund nutrition programs. During debate on the farm bill Hastings and other Republicans voiced opposition to that tax. Hastings: "This surprise offset is totally unacceptable because it will cost American jobs and it has completely by passed the public process of discussions and hearings in the respective committees of jurisdiction and it has disrupted the tradition of bipartisan cooperation on farm policy." Republicans disputed Democratic claims that the tax is only closing an existing loophole pointed out by President Bush. Hastings also expressed disappointment that an amendment regarding asparagus was not allowed. I'm Bob Hoff.