Harkin says he'll move on farm bill

By JANE NORMAN
Des Moines Register Washington Bureau
10/26/2001

Washington, D.C. - Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Ia., downplayed Thursday a letter from commodity groups asking for a delay in the farm bill, but he acknowledged the bill's progress has slowed because of problems in obtaining cost estimates.

The groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association and the National Pork Producers Council, wrote earlier this week to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle urging a "careful and deliberative process" on the 10-year rewrite of farm legislation. They called for floor action next spring.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman also has been pleading for the Senate to slow down work until next year, but Daschle has been pushing Harkin for an aggressive schedule. The House approved its version earlier this month.

Harkin noted that some major farm organizations had not signed the letter. The American Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union and groups that represent wheat growers were not included.

Harkin said he plans to begin committee work on a farm bill next week if possible. But he said delays caused by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the anthrax threat on Capitol Hill have put him behind schedule.

The Congressional Budget Office, which prepares estimates needed for legislation, has been evicted from a House office building being investigated for contamination. "We can't get the data from them," Harkin said.

He said he told Daschle, D-S.D., of his frustrations with getting budget figures, "and he understood that, but he still wants me to move ahead, and we will."

Harkin said that once he begins committee work, he plans to move quickly. "Would I like to complete the bill this year? You bet I would," he said.

Also Thursday, Rep. Greg Ganske, R-Ia., asked Veneman to use her discretionary authority to maintain marketing loan rates at their current levels in case new farm legislation is not in place for 2002 crops.
Ganske said that for corn and soybeans, maintaining loan rates would protect $3.4 billion in potential lost income for U.S. farmers.

"Farmers and their lenders will be making planting decisions for 2002 in coming months," Ganske, who is challenging Harkin for his seat, said in a letter to Veneman. "With continued low prices and market uncertainties, it is important they receive assurances regarding their 2002 safety net as soon as possible."