CONFEREES TO FINALIZE FARM BILL

 

Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) announced House conferees for the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) yesterday (Senate conferees were named in December) and all indications are that the bill is finally moving!  Conferees began the first formal meeting Thursday and the Chairs of the conference, Senator Harkin (D-IA) and Rep. Peterson (D-MN), have a blueprint for the bill almost completed and hope to finalize negotiations on the bill within two weeks.  

 

The most recent 30-day extension is set to expire on April 18 and Congressional Leadership is willing to do a short term extension if it means completing the bill.  The President has also indicated his support for this approach.