Senate slogs through Farm Bill amendments

RFD Radio's Matt Kaye says senators hope to wrap up debate on the Farm Bill amendments by late tonight.

Compiled by staff

Published: Jun 20, 2012

The Senate has considered 29 of the 73 amendments to S. 3240, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012. Voting on the amendments resumed this morning and the bill should be finished tonight.

A couple of amendments Farm Bureau considers to be critically important have been considered. A Farm Bureau-opposed amendment to impose a $250,000 adjusted gross income means test for all programs (including conservation) failed. A Farm Bureau-opposed amendment that establishes a $75,000 cap on marketing loans and loan deficiency payments for individuals passed.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) amendment that would establish housing standards for egg-laying hens is not among the 73 up for consideration. AFBF expects the Senate Agriculture Committee to hold a hearing on the legislation later this year.

4:00 p.m. update

The Senate Thursday defeated amendments to eliminate the Conservation Reserve and Conservation Stewardship Programs...to reduce funding for the Market Assistance Program...to redirect some Food Stamp state error rate reduction bonuses to food banks... to repeal the Biorefinery Assistance Program...and to roll back sugar subsidies. Wednesday, the Senate scuttled a key amendment to restore Food Stamp cuts by paring crop insurance.

The Senate Thursday, approved amendments to prevent conservation payments to millionaires...to allow food aid to North Korea with a presidential national security waiver...to create a 'Farm to School' pilot for healthy meals...to boost efforts to glean food waste for the needy... to increase funding for insect and disease eradication in the nation's forests...and to accelerate broadband access to underserved rural areas.

(Thanks to RFD Radio's Matt Kaye)

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