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Senate passes 2012 Farm Bill in bipartisan vote, 64-35

June 21, 2012 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Ohio Senators: Brown, a ‘yea,’ Portman, a ‘nay’

NFU supportive, process moves to a dysfunctional House

The 2012 version of the Farm Bill which delivers $23 billion in deficit reduction and moves the agricultural safety net away from direct payments and toward a beefed up crop insurance program as two of its major features passed the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 64-35.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, (D-OH), voted for the measure. Sen. Rob Portman, (R-OH), voted against the bill.

“The bipartisan, Senate-passed farm bill is the most significant reform of U.S. agriculture in decades – saving taxpayers $23 billion while investing in Ohio’s number one industry,” Brown said.

“This farm bill is forward thinking, yet realistic. The centerpiece of the bill’s deficit reduction efforts is based on a bill I authored with my colleague, Sen. (John) Thune, (R-SD) that would end the era of paying farmers for crops that they don’t grow and replace direct payments with market-based supports that’s more responsive to farmers and taxpayers. This farm bill is a jobs and innovation bill, an economic relief and development bill, and it affects every American every day,” added Brown, the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in 40 years.

The National Farmers Union issued two statements today – one urging passage of the bill and one congratulating senators on the achievement after its passage. NFU President Roger Johnson said he’s pleased with many of the provisions in the Senate bill such as mandatory funding for renewable energy programs. Although supportive of the bill’s move away from direct payments to support agriculture in the U.S., Johnson remains concerned about long-term price declines.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 2012 Farm Bill, Crop Insurance, Direct Payments, John Thune, Renewable Energy, Rob Portman, Roger Johnson, Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senate

Senate Farm Bill Floor Debate Could Take 2 Weeks

June 11, 2012 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Legislative staffers for the National Farmers Union are watching the U.S. Senate closely over the next two weeks as the upper chamber takes up floor consideration of the 2012 Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill passed through the Senate Ag Committee in April and it passed a full Senate vote on whether to consider the massive bill on the floor with broad bi-partisan support late last week, 90-8.

NFU reports that senators may have as many as 300 floor amendments to offer on the bill, but that through behind the scenes negotiation the package of amendments will probably be cut down to 40 or less.

NFU President Roger Johnson recently lead a coalition of more than 125 food and consumer groups in calling for the Senate to quickly pass the 2012 Farm Bill – citing the fact that many current programs are expiring or are in danger of expiring.

“This strongly bipartisan bill ensures that agriculture does its part to reduce the deficit, cutting spending by $23 billion, while still maintaining a safety net that family farmers and ranchers need,” Johnson said.

“Some farm bill programs have already expired, and the rest expire on Sept. 30. It is critical to pass a farm bill as soon as possible so that Americans have the agriculture, conservation, environmental, forestry, hunger, and rural development programs that they need. While many of us will continue to work for improvements in the bill, we all agree that we need a farm bill this year,” Johnson said.

Most media reports of the Farm Bill’s move through the Senate have been focusing on the shift away from direct payments to farmers in favor of a larger crop insurance program. Farmers would be able to insure against poor yields and declines in prices as well as environmental calamity. Another hot topic is cuts to the food stamp program.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 2012 Farm Bill, Crop Insurance, Direct Payments, MDIS, Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senate

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