Clinton Calls for Farm Recovery Measures

January 28, 2000

President Clinton used the State of the Union address to call on Congress to help farmers recover from two consecutive years of poor prices. "Please," Clinton said, "they need help. Let’s do it together." He also called for normal trade relations with China but avoided international trade talks struggling to get underway this year.

Droughts, floods and historically low prices "have made these times very bad for farmers," Clinton said. "We must work together to strengthen the farm safety net, invest in land conservation and create some new markets for them by expanding our programs for biobased fuels and products."

The administration’s bias against the 1996 farm law has been public knowledge for some months now. Clinton reiterated those views in the State of the Union message. "When I signed the farm bill in 1996, I said there was great danger it would work well in good times but not in bad."

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) was surprised at "how little attention (was) paid to agriculture" in the address. "There’s a crisis in rural America," Grassley said, "even while the rest of the economy grows. Depressed prices have left farmers with the lowest prices in 25 years. Washington needs to help farmers survive."

Grassley said agriculture depends on trade more than any other part of the economy. "The President’s failure to open new markets and enhance U.S. leadership on trade has been a tremendous blow to farm income."

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) saw it differently. "I was extremely pleased the President addressed the fact that farm families and many rural communities have not shared in the sustained economic expansion enjoyed by the rest of the country. It is vital to restore farm income protection taken away in the freedom to farm (law)."

Harkin added he also was pleased that Clinton talked about "strengthening our commitment to agricultural conservation, including funding...for a new program of incentive payments to farmers who voluntarily carry out higher levels of conservation practices."

More details on Clinton’s specific agricultural proposals are expected when the USDA budget proposal is delivered to Congress on Feb. 7.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN) noted that Clinton addressed the development of biofuels and expanding environmental conservation programs, but he did not offer an opinion on how Congress will react to such proposals.

Lugar did say he expects "a highly productive year" in Congress. "I think we are going to have...a very strong budget situation that gives assurance that the federal debt is going to be paid down, and that gives at least some undergirding for prosperity to continue."

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) said he would reserve judgement or comment on the President’s speech until he sees more details on specific proposals.

"Until we see the specifics, I think we’re going to hold off making any real criticism or say where we can work with the President – we want to do that. I am glad that he mentioned trade...But action speaks louder than words, and until we see the specifics, we’re going to reserve judgement," said Roberts.