Short term extension

From Kate Cyrul, press spokesperson for the Senate Agriculture Committee comes this word about an agreement for a short term extension in the farm bill. From Kate:

Chairman Harkin agreed to the short-term extension of the current farm bill to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks while we work on a new bill in Congress. This need became more evident – and Chairman Peterson and his staff were convinced – when economists realized we could lose billions from our baseline if anything were to lapse. This short-term extension provides funding at a low level to keep agencies running, while keeping the pressure on to get a new, 5-year farm bill passed as soon as possible.

TK: Also, from the Senate floor staff are notes about debate time for pending amendments:

We just entered into the following consent agreement regarding debate time on the following pending amendments to the Farm bill:

- Alexander amendments #3551 and #3553 (60 minutes);

- Gregg amendment #3673 (2 hours);

- Dorgan-Grassley amendment #3695 (2 hours);

- Sessions amendment #3597 (30 minutes);

- Klobuchar amendment #3810 (60 minutes); and

- Coburn amendments #3807, 3530 and 3632 (90 minutes).

The amendments are to be debated in the order listed. We have not set any times for roll call votes in relation to the amendments with the exception of the Dorgan-Grassley amendment (9:15am, Thursday). Once a time is reached to vote in relation to an amendment or a stacked sequence of amendments, another message will be sent.