Formal Meeting of Farm Bill Conference Will Begin on Wednesday.
March 11, 2002
The House-Senate farm bill conference will officially get underway on Wednesday, March 13, at 4:00 p.m. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) will serve as the conference chairman.
In making the announcement last Friday, Chairman Combest stated:
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) also stated in Friday's news release:
The Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL) also named additional House members to serve on the farm bill conference for specific provisions of the bill, to address issues in the Senate farm bill which are outside of the House Agriculture Committee's jurisdiction.
"I am convinced we can and must work to have an agreement within reach for the 2002 crop year - and for producers, the need grows more critically each day. There are clear differences between the two farm bill versions, but House and Senate conferees are joined in the commitment to do the work needed to produce a good bill."
"Rural America I depending on the success of this farm bill, and I am committed to moving forward to get this conference committee completed as soon as possible. I am pleased that the House and Senate staff have been able to make good progress in organizing this bill and preparing if for the conferees. I am eagerly anticipating the first meeting of farm bill next week, and I hope we can have an open minded discussion on all the differences between the two bills."