Climate Change Bill Won't Have Farm Bureau Support
Despite changes, AFBF says more is needed.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jun 25, 2009
The American Farm Bureau Federation is saying there are still too many flaws in the climate change legislation working its way to a vote on the House floor this week. Farm Bureau Regulatory Specialist Paul Schlegel says that's despite the stellar efforts of House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn.
"We think initially that everyone in the agriculture community owes a debt of gratitude to Chairman Peterson," Schlegel said. "He's been a terrific fighter and he identified a number of issues and we are very supportive of the efforts he's undertaken."
According to Schlegel the problem is that the legislation raises a wide range of issues that are detrimental to U.S. agriculture. As a result he says Farm Bureau's stance is that the climate change measure should be amended further or defeated.
"We're going to be asking members of Congress to vote no on the overall bill," Schlegel said. "We don't think it should proceed and although you have the White House and Speaker pressing hard I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that the votes are there."
However House Energy and Commerce Chair Henry Waxman, D-Calif., believes the votes are there to pass the legislationand President Obama has signaled he'll offer any support he can to generate the 218 votes needed to make sure that happens.
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Tagged: farm, Farm Bureau, SURE, American Farm Bureau Federation
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