Smith Comments on Short Term Farm Bill Extension

Statement

Smith Comments on Short Term Farm Bill Extension

Congressmen Adrian Smith (R-NE), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today commented on the House passage of a one-week extension of the Farm Bill.

"Just a little over a month ago, Congress had to pass the second extension of the Farm Bill to avoid its expiration. It has been over eight months since the House first passed the Farm Bill and nearly four months since the Senate passed their version.

"I'm frustrated the process has been stalled since December. Producers in Nebraska and throughout the country have begun planting without any certainty or promise of the supports they count on to continue their operations," Smith said.

On July 27, 2007, the House passed its version of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) by a vote of 231-191. On December 14, 2007, the Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill by a vote of 79-14. The House and Senate have yet to reach an agreement on a final bill. While there has been progress on ironing out the differences between the two bills, there are still disagreements over how to pay for increased spending contained in the bill.

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