News Releases for December 2007
December 11, 2007
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Hoeven Organizes Farm Bill Letter To Congress Signed By 20 Governors
Governors Farm Bill letter 
(456kb pdf)
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven has organized a letter to congressional leaders signed by 20 governors urging swift action on the new Farm Bill currently under debate in the U.S. Senate. The letter was delivered Monday to congressional leadership. The Senate is scheduled to debate a series of amendments this week. Lawmakers are hoping to pass the Senate’s version before the holiday recess.
“While debate on the Farm Bill continues, the end goals should be the same: federal farm legislation should provide a consistent, dependable safety net for our nation’s farmers; offer incentives for rural development and renewable energy; create strong incentives for conservation; and provide nutrition programs for the nation’s needy families,” the governor’s wrote.
“We urge you to work with your colleagues to reach a compromise on this important Farm Bill. It is essential that the holders of diverse opinions strive to find common ground to get a blended package that all parties can accept,” the letter said.
The letter was addressed to the majority and minority leadership in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including Senate Leader Harry Ried; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; and House Minority Leader John Boehner. The letter was also sent to the majority chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate agriculture committees.
Hoeven has been pushing key priorities for North Dakota, which are included in the Senate draft of the bill:
- A continued countercyclical safety net for producers, with increases in some target prices, including wheat.
- An increase of direct payments for North Dakota crops such as wheat, barley, soybeans and oil seeds.
- A permanent disaster title to help producers manage weather-related agriculture disasters.
- Enhanced renewable energy and conservation titles.
Hoeven was in Washington, D.C. in late October to meet with Senate leaders and White House officials to lobby for passage of the Farm Bill, which expired September 30 and has been extended while Congress completes work on details of new legislation.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the bill in July. When the Senate approves its version, the legislation will go to a conference committee composed of members of both houses of Congress, where the two versions will be reconciled after the first of the year.
“We will continue to push for a strong Farm Bill on behalf of our farmers and ranchers,” Hoeven said. “That means a flexible and effective program they can use to make timely planning decisions for the next growing season.”
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