Blunting reform

As observed in the Blog for Rural America, I also confirmed with a source close to the House Agriculture Committee that several farm bill reform proposals will be heard at both the subcommittee and likely the committee level. One that will be offered (and voted down) will be the FARM 21 reform bill by U.S. Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wisc., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Joe Crowley, D-N.Y. and and David Reichert, R-Wash..

The subcommittee and full committee could also consider the USDA farm bill proposal on farm programs and a farm subsidy buyout plan floated by Citicorp, the source said.

Some speculate Chairman Peterson may blunt debate on the House floor by hearing these reform bills at the committee and subcommittee level.

Even with those major reform bills going down to defeat, there is speculation that Peterson may put forward a mild amendment on limitations to farm program payments.

Here is an audio link to my interview last week with horticulture subcommittee chair Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif.