House of Representatives to Not Vote on Farm Bill

US - Disappointment has been expressed at the House of Representatives announcement that is will not vote on the 2012 Farm Bill.
calendar icon 18 September 2012
clock icon 3 minute read

US House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced of the remaining votes in the House, which does not include the 2012 Farm Bill.

There are talks that that the current 2008 bill may be extended for three-months.

National Farmers' Union President, Roger Johnson said: "The 2008 Farm Bill expires on September 30. Congress is well aware of its expiration, and sadly leadership has succumbed to political pressure and will leave with unfinished business. Aside from politics, there is no reason that the House doesn’t bring the farm bill to a floor vote. Leadership has chosen to cancel all votes in October.

“The farm bill is a critical piece of legislation to all Americans. It affects 16 million jobs and is the single largest investment in rural America. It is disappointing that leadership has chosen to leave us hanging because of political games.

“Not passing a farm bill now will make it more difficult to get something done in the lame duck session. Farmers need certainty, and without a farm bill in place, we lose that certainty. The agriculture sector is willing to do its fair share, however we need certainty in order to make business and planting decisions for the coming year.

“Other unfinished business includes reforms to the US postal service and issues related to the sequestration process or ‘fiscal cliff,’ which will result in severe cuts to many non-defense programmes.“

Charlotte Johnson

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