Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly released the following statement on the failure of the House of Representatives to bring the Farm Bill to the floor before the August District Work Period. The current Farm Bill expires on September 30, 2012.
“Our farmers face an incredible amount of uncertainty, whether it's from Mother Nature or market prices,” said Donnelly. “Currently, farmers are facing the worst drought conditions in decades. Yet, although there are only eight legislative days left before the current Farm Bill expires, and although the full Senate and House Agriculture Committee have passed 2012 Farm Bills with bipartisan support, the House has not brought a 2012 Farm Bill to the floor. House leadership’s lack of action is very irresponsible and disappointing. Indiana’s farmers deserve a vote on the Farm Bill now. Members of Congress are the hired help, and we should not adjourn until we complete the Farm Bill work before us.”
Last month, Donnelly joined a bipartisan effort to bring the 2012 Farm Bill to the House floor before the August District Work Period. He also gave a speech on the House floor urging his colleagues to pass a new Farm Bill.
Today, Donnelly voted for H.R. 6228, a disaster assistance bill, which would retroactively extend several essential disaster assistance programs for crops grown in 2012.
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