FYI

From: ASHS National Issues Task Force [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of jonathan moore
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 10:08 AM
To: ASHS National Issues Task Force
Subject: Senate Passes their Farm Bill version!

Yesterday evening, the Senate approved S. 954, the Agriculture Reform, Food & Jobs Act of 2013.  Approval was a comfortable 66 to 27 margin.  Most opposition came from Senators representing major commodity crop states worried about phase out of direct payments and thus, a greater reliance on crop insurance.  No opposition registered for either NIFA or ARS research funding.  Only a few dozen amendments were considered out of 260 total submitted.  Most critical for our interests were inclusion of several mandatory competitive grant programs — SCRI, OREI, Beginning Farmers Ranchers — their funding the same as proposed a year ago.  If / when a comprehensive farm bill becomes law, these mandatory programs would not be subject to annual appropriations — which is good!  The Senate's S. 954 also includes $200 million over five years to establish and administer a new 501(c)(3) Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.  This foundation would be under NIFA's jurisdiction.  

Meanwhile, House staffers tell me their farm bill, HR 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 ("FARRM" ~) is likely to be debated and voted upon later this month.  Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has specifically requested that Members deliberate and vote.  You may remember it was the House's decision not to take up this bill a year ago which doomed 2012's farm bill efforts.  Once the House passes their farm bill — still a better-than-even bet, but less certain than the Senate — both congressional chambers must then proceed to conference.  A conference timetable remains uncertain.  Yet its absolutely essential, for without House / Senate agreement on funding and regulatory language throughout the entire bill, action on final passage cannot take place.  If this conference achieves a successful outcome, then both chambers must vote again on that "conference report".  Fractionally speaking, yesterday's Senate action places us one-fifth of the way towards the finish line.  That finish line being a bill signing ceremony at the White House.

My focus now is solely on the House in hopes that HR 1947 passes.  I'll need to monitor any research or horticulture-related amendments proposed for Titles VII and X, and if an opportunity exists, get the Issues Task Force to weigh in.  For overall research funding, the House's numbers are preferable — especially for a 10-year SCRI funding plan that affords budgetary baseline protection.  But also expect House debate to be more contentious and spirited, especially when it comes to deliberating supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP), conservation, and rural development funding.  But at least House Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) are now on record indicating the time has come to move forward on an up or down vote.  Even with other pressing issues on their docket, I'm confident we will get that farm bill vote in the House.  At least then, we'll officially know where all House Members stand with regard to maintaining, enhancing, or abolishing certain programs.  Like the Senate, I don't see research in the line of fire in HR 1947.

Jonathan