WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2013 – Senate Agriculture Committee
Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., expressed frustration with House Majority
Leader Eric Cantor today following reports
that he will bring a nutrition title with $40 billion in cuts to the House
floor for a vote next month.
She described the
steep food stamp cuts as just “one more roadblock” in getting the farm bill
done.
“Now that he’s come forward with a nutrition title that will
cut $40 billion and have additional riders on it…that are really appalling…we
are in a situation where we can’t negotiate because we don’t know what the
parameters of the bill are going to be,” she told reporters during a conference
call this afternoon.
“It’s wasted time and effort…and getting in the way of a
serious discussion.”
“So it’s now put us in another situation where it’s going to
make it harder to get a farm bill done,” Stabenow added, while noting that she’s
“concerned” Congress will be unable to pass another one-year extension this
year.
“There are those in the U.S. Senate and House, as well, who
will strongly fight any extension that includes direct payments,” Stabenow said.
Stabenow also said she was “concerned” about the few
legislative days – only nine – that lawmakers will have to pass a bill once
they return to the capital in September.
Stabenow’s comments seemed to highlight continuing differences
between the top two House Republicans and the challenges both face in trying to
move major pieces of legislation.
“I know that the Majority Leader (Cantor) in the House does
not want a farm bill. He’s made it clear from the beginning with everything
he’s done,” she explained. However, she
noted that Speaker John Boehner told her directly in a conversation that he
“would like to complete a farm bill.”
Stabenow encouraged stakeholders to let their elected
representatives know that a new farm bill needs to be completed before the
current extension expires on Sept. 30.
“Everyone who cares about the farm bill should stand up and
say they are tired of this,” she added. “Enough is enough. The House needs to
appoint conferees and we need to get this done.”
#30
For more news, please go to: www.Agri-Pulse.com
