Bills in Congress
For two years, Congress has debated the future of our farm and food policies. The House passed its version in July and the Senate in December. Both sides must now reconcile their differences in a process called conference. Congress should support a final Farm Bill that
- benefits the environment
- does more to help all farmers, and
- increases access to healthy food choices
House Action
In July, the U.S. House passed its version of the Farm Bill, called the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419).
Unfortunately, Congress missed an opportunity to significantly improve farm and food policy when it failed to pass the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment, which would have reduced farm subsidies and significantly increased funding to USDA conservation, nutrition and rural development programs.
Although the House bill falls short of doing what is needed, the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act does provide $4.5 billion in new funding for conservation programs, and makes some important program improvements.
Senate Action
The Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill in December. Both the House and Senate made steps in the right direction, but did not do enough to meet farmer demand for conservation programs.
More about the Senate Farm Bill »
Conference Committee
The House and Senate have worked out their versions' differences through a conference committee composed of members of both the House and Senate. The farm bill is now in its final stages.
Past Bills
This past spring, over 220 Members of Congress signed-on to pieces of legislation that would have significantly increased funding for Farm Bill programs that help farmers provide clean air, clean water and habitat for wildlife, as well as increased consumer access to heathy food choices and done more for rural communities.
