Battle Shapes Up on 'Front Loading'

February 15, 2002

Even before the ink is dry on the Senate's farm bill, a battle is shaping up between House and Senate leaders over the Senate's "front loading" of spending authorizations in its legislation. Republicans are claiming the Senate bill "short changes" farm program spending over 10 years compared with the House bill.

House Agriculture Committee staff provided lobbyists a chart at a meeting Thursday that shows the House farm bill spends 66% of the $73.5 billion in new funding on income supports for farmers while the Senate spends 55%. Just what's included in the so-called "safety net" spending isn't clear but apparently includes grain and cotton subsidies and the dairy, sugar and peanut provisions in both bills.

The front loading accusations come with the Senate spending 61% of the $73.5 billion in the first five years and the House version spending 49% over the same period of time.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) says that although the five-year amounts aren't that different, the Senate money goes mostly to programs other than farmer income support - such as nutrition and conservation.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) has said it makes no sense to delay getting money to farmers, even as part of a conservation program, when farmers are hurting for money now. Also, a Harkin aide points out, there's nothing in the budget resolution that dictates when the money is to be spent. Harkin also has said all issues are open to debate within the conference committee, but he also will insist on compromise, not concession.