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Push from the Planter for WRDA Vote

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita effective crushed basis prices last fall. A sign some hoped would signal the need for restoring locks and dams along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Now months later time is ticking for passage of a Senate version of the Water Resources and Development Act, and ag groups are pushing from the planter this week to have their voice heard.

WRDA authorizes the construction of seven 1,200-foot locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and an expansive ecosystem restoration program for the Mississippi River basin area. The bill also includes immediate implementation of small-scale measures, such as guide-wall extensions and helper boats, to help alleviate congestion.

The "Push from the Planter•bCrLf is a grassroots effort urging members of state corn grower organizations and National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, the carpenters union, the National Waterway Alliance, the Midwest Area River Coalition 2000 and other groups to call Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist tomorrow (April 26) and urge him to bring WRDA to the floor immediately.

NCGA Director of Public Policy Lisa Kelley says NCGA needs assurance from Frist that he'll bring the bill to the Senate floor before the Memorial Day recess. This allows enough time to settle differences in conference between the two versions and finalize it this legislative year.

The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last July by a vote of 406-14. The national scope of WRDA has led 81 U.S. senators to call for action on its version immediately. Yet, the bill languishes in the Senate, while a full agenda may keep the measure from debate.

In an election year the legislative schedule is shorter; it is already halfway over. During May traditionally the Senate ramps up appropriation discussion into September and October. Kelley says she's never seen agriculture, industry, environment and labor groups all behind legislation, and the bill still not see Senate floor time. She explains Frist doesn't want to spend more than two days on the bill. There is still talk of another attempt at immigration legislation and lobbying reform in the next month, tightening up available time, too, she adds.

Frist needs a commitment from Sens. John McCain and Russ Feingold that their attempt to reform the Army Corps of Engineers can be debated in a matter of hours. Kelley is confident the Senate version can be dealt with in less than two days on the Senate floor if Mcain/Feingold agree to a time agreement. Corn growers are opposing McCain and Feingold. "A number of provisions in WRDA are aimed to help the Corps do a better job," Kelley says. The McCain and Feingold approach would halt any forward progress on projects and essentially acts as a stalling tactic, she adds.

If you'd like to participate in the effort, the Capitol Hill switchboard number is 202-224-3121. Growers are encouraged to contact both Frist and their state's senators on April 26. NCGA has put together talking points for the calls, which are available by clicking HERE.