Senate Struggles On Two Fronts With Major Farm Issues

August 4, 1999

The Senate today is faced with deciding whether to stop a threatened filibuster over dairy issues. At the same time, Senators are debating how much federal money farmers should get this year to help shore up income losses from low prices. Senators rejected the Democrats' plan Tuesday, and efforts were underway to craft a compromise bill.

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) reportedly was drafting a $7.55 billion alternative to the emergency assistance packages and was expected to introduce it today. According to REUTERS, the Roberts bill provides $5.5 billion in market loss payments similar to freedom to farm transition payments, $500 million in direct payments to soybean producers, $400 million to reduce crop insurance premiums, $250 million for discretionary livestock assistance, $201 million for the cotton Step 2 program, $300 million for fruits and vegetables and $400 million for disaster payments.

The Senate rejected the Democrats' $11 billion aid package on Tuesday on a 54-44 vote but did not take a final vote on a $7 billion package the Republicans offered. The Senate gave a show of support to the Republican plan, but it came on a procedural vote along almost pure party lines, and Republicans subsequently withdrew their plan. Instead, both sides began work on a compromise.

Also expected in floor action today is a highly controversial dairy proposal that the Independent Dairy Foods Association calls a "time bomb." Sens. Patrick Leahy (D) and James Jeffords (R), both of Vermont, plan to try to extend the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact by eliminating the appropriation to implement the final rule on federal milk marketing order reform.

Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WI) and other senators have promised to filibuster if any dairy policy legislation is offered as part of the appropriations process. That would grind the appropriations process to a halt and jeopardize quick passage of farm income assistance.