Side by Side

Here is the link to the Senate Agriculture Committee Web site that provides "side by side" comparison of the House version and Senate versions of the farm bill, along with references to existing law. Meanwhile, the Senate has named members of farm bill conference from that chamber, with the good news for specialty crop growers that Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is among their number. From a Senate Ag Committee news release:

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), the Chairman and Ranking Member respectively of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, announced this evening the names of the Senators who will join the conference committee tasked with merging the Senate farm bill with the House of Representatives’ version. Senator Harkin will chair the conference committee.

“This group of Senators represents diversity in terms of geography, leadership posts and expertise. I know that we will work well together and meld together a farm bill that fits our country’s needs,” said Chairman Harkin. “I look forward to working with Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Colin Peterson as well as the new Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer in reaching our goals of a farm bill that makes important investments in conservation, renewable energy, nutrition and rural development.” “I am pleased to join Sen. Harkin in naming the Senators that will serve on the conference committee to complete the farm bill,” said Ranking Member Chambliss. “Our farmers and ranchers are in the midst of making important planting decisions and we must complete this bill as soon as possible.” The list of Democratic Senators selected for the conference committee: Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus (D-MT); Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Kent Conrad (D-ND); Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy (D-VT); Senate Agriculture Committee Member Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Senate Agriculture Committee Member Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The list of the Republican Senators selected for the conference committee in addition to Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) are: Former Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Charles Grassley (R-IA); Ranking Member Senate Appropriations Committee, Thad Cochran (R-MS); and Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS).