The 2007 Farm Bill set to expire on September 30 passed the House the end of July and is likely to work through the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate this month.  The House version is marked at $286 billion over five years with major new investments and improvements in nutrition and food aid.  The House bill continues to provide subsidies to large farmers and fails to provide a safety net to smaller and mid-size farmers as well as threaten the livelihoods of farmers in developing countries.

     Senator Agricultural Committee Chair Tom Harkin promises strong farm income protection within a fairer system of payments than the House bill.  In addition, he plans to advocate for strong conservation programs, rural economic development, nutrition assistance and renewable energy production.  Locating funding will be most challenging.

Action: Contact your Senators, especially if they sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee. 

Contacting  Congress

Contacting legislators by phone: 202.224.3121

The Honorable (name)
U.S. Senate (zip 20510)  OR
U.S. House of Representatives (zip 20515)   Washington, DC.
President: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20500 or
202-456-1111

Message: Urge them to support a farm bill that creates an equity commodity title; institutes meaningful payment limits; and strengthens programs in nutrition, conservation and rural development.

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 The 2008 fiscal year for the federal government begins on October 1 and appropriation bills are not completed.  While the House has passed all appropriations bills, the Senate has passed only the Homeland Security Appropriations bill.  Presidential veto threats remain on at least nine of the bills that exceed his request.  The President has proposed a total of $933 billion and in May, Congress passed its budget containing $23.2 billion more than what the President proposed for non-defense spending.  The President is currently holding fast to his overall spending amount with veto threats.  His proposed funding fails to keep pace with inflation and includes the slashing of programs serving low-income people, especially those mentioned in the column at the right.    

     Furthermore, it is likely that the President will make a request to Congress for supplemental funding for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and additional foreign aid for allies in the Middle East this month.  This tension will be further complicated by former Representative Jim Nussle as the potential Office of Management and Budget Director.  He has a history of proposing cuts on low-income programs even more deeply than the current Administration.

Action: Contact your Senators.

Message: Urge them to support increased funding for programs serving low-income individuals as they appropriate money for Fiscal Year 2008.