Congress Steps Up Farm Activity

July 16, 2001

It's a busy week for farm legislation, as both the House and Senate agriculture panels hold hearings on commodity program proposals. Meanwhile, a Senate subcommittee will write its version of USDA's 2002 spending bill.

The House Agriculture Committee begins marathon hearings Tuesday on the farm bill concepts outlined last week. Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) laid out a plan for renewed deficiency payments, continued fixed payments and rebalanced loan rates. The Senate Agriculture Committee will hear testimony Tuesday and Thursday on commodity and nutrition programs.

Also Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee will act on a bill to fund the Agriculture Department and other agencies in the new fiscal year. The House of Representatives passed its bill earlier.