House Ag Chair Says 2012 the Best Year to Write Next Farm Bill
Lucas says getting bill signed in re-election year will be easier.
Compiled by staff
Published: Feb 24, 2011
Former House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson, D-Minn., intended to get a start on the 2012 Farm Bill this year, however the new Chair Frank Lucas, R-Okla., wants to wait for 2012. Recently there's even been some talk from a member of the committee of a one-year extension of existing farm policy to 2013.
Lucas believes 2012, even though the budget baseline is a big question mark, is the best time to write new legislation.
"I think that it will be easier to get a President Obama White House to sign a Farm Bill in a re-election year than any other time," Lucas said. "If we can't create a bill that rural America can live with and support and put it on the president's desk in time for him to sign it and be compelled to sign it - if he should be re-elected I don't know if we'll ever get a Farm Bill signed in a second term."
Lucas notes that President George W. Bush signed the 2002 Farm Bill, but after his re-election advisors persuaded him to veto the 2008 Farm Bill and Congress had to override the veto.
"It's just better if we can work these things out next year and give the president an opportunity to sign another five-year Farm Bill as he's going out to see the voters across the country," Lucas said.
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Tagged: farm, farm bill, Extension
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