Farm bill math

With the Washington Public Policy Conference about to convene, the shape of the Senate farm bill has yet to take firm shape. One Washington lobbyist told me, speaking on background that Sen. Tom Harkin, Senate Agriculture Committee chair, and Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., are attempting to work together to see if they can bring a bill out of the Agriculture Committee with 13 to 15 votes in support, rather than just the 11 votes necessary to prevail. Broader support within the committee could forestall wholesale changes to the farm bill on the Senate floor.
"Conrad is in the driver's seat, no question; Harkin wants Title I (commodities) reform more than Conrad," the lobbyist said. Harkin wants savings from Title I reform to help fund priorities in conservation and nutrition. Apparently markup in the Senate Agriculture Committee may be delayed until after the Senate Finance Committee identifies tax-break related funding opportunities for conservation and energy programs.
While tax breaks and credits aren't useful in addressing f/v industry priorities, any tax measures that can be devoted to conservation and energy through the Senate Finance Committee may make room for other funds to be used for f/v priorities. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., will be a key ally in the process, as she sits on both the Finance Committee and the Agriculture Committee.

While originally slated to start the week of Sept. 17, Senate Agriculture Committee now is not expected to begin markup by then.