Agricultural News
Senators Stabenow and Roberts Beat the Drum for Senate Floor Time for 2012 Farm Bill Proposal
Wed, 16 May 2012 13:39:43 CDT
Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and the top Republican on the Committee, Senator Pat Roberts, talked with reporters in a telephone news conference on Wednesday, starting their media briefing just as the House Ag Leadership were talking farm policy at the start of a House Ag Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management hearing. Both Senators had a common theme- they are proud of the Senate Ag Committee measure, want action on it on the floor of the US Senate as soon as is possible- and believe that the Senate Leadership will bow to pressure to allow that to happen.
There have been signals from the Senate Ag Committee staff that floor time for the farm bill debate could be forthcoming in June.
The Senators also are convinced that a conference with the House will result in a compromise that can be delivered back to the two bodies and then on the President this year.
Stabenow told reporters that a CBO score on the finalized Senate Ag Committee proposal will be available very soon, as a couple of "technical hiccups" were being ironed out. She fully expects it to be at least $23 billion in savings over a ten year period. She also acknowledged that if there is an open rule on the Senate floor- which she indicated that she is favor of- there will be lots of amendments, including one in particular that could gut crop insurance support by the federal government- she appeared to be unconcerned about that anticipated attempt saying that she believes the Committee's work regarding crop insurance will prevail on the Senate floor.
We have an audio overview of what the two lawmakers told reporters about the Senate Ag Committee 2012 Farm Bill- you can hear that by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
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