Policy Plate: No Five-Year Farm Bill in Lame Duck Session
Environment & Energy Daily (subscription only) reports that free market groups are urging the White House and congressional leaders to avoid using the farm bill as a means to a fiscal cliff deal.
The article states,
In a policy brief yesterday, the R Street Institute called a deal to address the fiscal cliff the "wrong vehicle" to pass the farm bill, five-year legislation that has been stalled on the House floor since July. Such a package, the institute said, would not allow for open debate on the bill, the House version of which proposes to spend about $958 billion and cut $35.1 billion in direct spending.
"Republican leaders in the House of Representatives committed to conduct the chamber's business in a more open and transparent way than their predecessors in both parties," wrote R Street Outreach Director Andrew Moylan. "Including in a fiscal cliff package a $1 trillion long-term farm bill that hasn't been subject to debate and amendment would be a sure sign that those commitments were hollow."
EWG has been calling on lawmakers to pass a one-year extension of the expired farm bill that ends direct payments and places reasonable limits on runaway crop insurance subsidies. Under this scenario, the House would get the same opportunity as the Senate to amend a new five-year bill next year. EWG has put together a short list of priority amendments that should be debated before the House.
Table Scraps:
The New York Times reports a South African energy company announced on Monday that it would build America’s first commercial plant to convert natural gas to diesel and other liquid fuels.
CBS News has more on a new study that suggests chemicals in tap water may be partially to blame for food allergies.
Open Secrets says more than 70 groups have been lobbying for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Tweet of the Day:
@DonEWG Despite clear warning signs for a new Dust Bowl, everyone from WH to House Repubs on board with cutting conservation http://ow.ly/fOidS
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