NFU Statement: Disappointed in Lack of Senate Farm Bill Action
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2007
Contact: Liz Friedlander, 202-314-3191Supporting Audio: 1 Track [audio:111607_TomSenateCloture.mp3]
WASHINGTON (Nov. 16, 2007) – Members of the Senate today failed to approve cloture on the 2007 Farm Bill. A cloture vote would have allowed for the Senate to debate the food and farm legislation. Following the vote, National Farmers Union President Tom Buis participated in a press conference with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Ken Salazar, D-Colo., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Below is Buis’ statement:
“The current farm bill expired September 30 and farmers need to know what programs are going to be in place so they can make informed decisions for the upcoming planting season. It is vitally important that the Senate pass a farm bill, a House-Senate conference report is approved and the President signs the bill into law as soon as possible. The Senate delay is unfortunate and the clock is ticking. It is time to act now.
“The bill unanimously approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee is a good, fiscally responsible bill that includes record investments in conservation, nutrition, renewable energy development and specialty crop programs. By not approving this bill, these investments will disappear, the farm bill budget will be further reduced and consumers will lose country of origin labeling.
“With the holiday season upon us, legislative work days are few. I urge the members of the Senate to work together and support family farmers, ranchers, consumers and their communities by passing a farm bill as soon as possible.”
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