Farm Bill Expires; The Facts & Hopes
The Farm Bill officially expired on Sunday, September 30th because Congress adjourned without reauthorizing or extending the bill. What does this mean? In the short term, no new contracts can be written for the Conservation Reserve Program, the Grassland Reserve Program, the Wetlands Reserve Program or the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program. Speaker Boehner indicated that the House will examine the Farm Bill in November when members of Congress return after the election for the lame duck session. The Senate has already passed their version of the bill.
For a report by the Congressional Research Service (Possible Extension or Expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill) visit the “Issues” tab on the Kansas Wildlife Federation homepage. This report does not provide any kind of advocacy position. It is a non-partisan review of the Farm Bill provided to members of congress and their committees.
The view of the Kansas Wildlife Federation regarding crafting of the next Farm Bill legislation is as follows: