Combest Wants Clinton Proposals on Farm Policy

November 5, 1999

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) wants President Clinton to spell out his "long-promised proposals" on federal farm policy. In hearings next year, says Combest, he expects "every witness to present specific, detailed policy proposals," and he invited Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to testify.

"In next year's hearings, the committee will expect every witness to present specific, detailed policy proposals, including the expected impact on all farm sectors," said Combest. "With the resources at your (Glickman's) disposal and in light of the President's budget responsibilities, the committee will also expect policy proposals by the Department of Agriculture to be reflected in the President's annual budget submission."

When President Clinton signed the 1996 farm bill into law, Combest continued in his letter to Glickman, he said he was "firmly committed to submitting legislation and working with the Congress in the following year -- 1997 -- to strengthen the farm safety net. Nevertheless, three years and four presidential budgets have passed, and the President has yet to submit a specific and comprehensive proposal to strengthen the 1996 farm bill."

Combest warned Glickman that if the President's budget does not contain necessary funding, "any proposals you wish to make involving additional funding must be accompanied by a detailed and sufficient list of budget offsets and a five-year budget impact analysis as is required of any measure considered by the House."

"It will not be possible to give serious consideration to any administration policy proposals that do not reflect the realities of the current federal budget situation," he continued. "Consequently, to ensure that your testimony is a relevant part of the policy debate, please give these budget requirements your close and personal attention."

If that doesn't happen, Combest added, "I am sure you can appreciate my difficulty in giving credence to the administration's views on farm policy."