Iowa Congressman Files Discharge Petition for Farm Bill
Congressman Bruce Braley submits petition to bring House Farm Bill to the floor.
Compiled by staff
Published: Sep 13, 2012
Congressman Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, on Thursday filed a discharge petition with the House of Representatives to bring the House's Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act to the floor for a vote.
By filing a formal discharge petition, legislation can be brought to the floor, provided at least 218 House members sign the petition.
"Today, we took a tremendous step forward toward forcing a vote on the Farm Bill," Braley said in a press statement. He indicated that Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) had caused roadblocks to the creation of the petition.
"After 65 days of dithering and distraction, Speaker Boehner has finally allowed the bill to be released from Committee. Today, I've filed my bipartisan discharge petition to force this bill to the Floor," he said. "I urge my colleagues to sign the petition immediately."
Congressman Bruce Braley submits petition to bring House Farm Bill to the floor. Braley first announced his intention to file a discharge petition on Aug. 2, but a formal petition could not be filed until 30 legislative days following the bill's referral to committee.
The initial announcement of intent to file was endorsed also by Rick Berg, R-N.D., Chris Gibson, R-N.Y. and Peter Welch, D-Vt.
Braley said the petition would make it clear who supported the bill.
"Now that we, a group of Democrats and Republicans, have filed this discharge petition, and it's available for signatures, we'll see who really supports the Farm Bill Now."
On July 12, the House Committee on Agriculture passed their version of the 2012 Farm Bill out of committee; however it was not listed for discussion on the House floor schedule for the week of Sept. 10.
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