House Passes Farm Bill

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the new Farm Bill with an overwhelming bipartisan majority. The Conference Report to the "The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008," otherwise known as the new Farm Bill passed by a margin of 318 to 106 votes, demonstrating more than enough support to override a threatened Presidential veto.

Congressman Walz said that the legislation includes several major initiatives he championed, which will make it easier for southern Minnesota's farmers to enroll in conservation programs, give farmers more flexibility to determine the crops they plant, and several provisions which will help beginning farmers and ranchers get their start in agriculture.

"I'm pleased that the House has, at long last, finished its work on the farm bill," said Walz. "The Farm Bill will provide stability to our rural communities and agricultural producers, as well as ensuring a safe, affordable food supply for Americans and the world."

"And I am especially pleased that the Farm Bill includes several key provisions I authored. This bill will provide more flexibility for Minnesota's farmers, who will be able to plant more fruits and vegetables, instead of being locked into planting what the government requires."

"This Farm Bill includes a section I added which will make it easier for southeastern Minnesota's organic producers to participate in the Farm Bill's conservation programs. And I am especially proud that the farm bill includes half-a-dozen important changes I pushed for which will help beginning farmers and ranchers get their start on the land."

"Finally, the Farm Bill includes a provision I wrote which requires USDA to study the impact of rail service on rural America and report to Congress on whether additional competition is needed in the rail industry to protect our grain elevators and other agricultural shippers from abusive rail rates," said Walz.

Despite its name, nearly three-quarters of the Farm Bill's funding goes to USDA nutrition programs like the Food Stamp Program and the School Lunch Program. Walz said the new Farm Bill provides an additional $10.4 billion for these nutrition programs, which help 38 million American families secure access to healthy food. During this time of high food prices, the Farm Bill also provides much-needed support to hungry Americans through food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens, by increasing funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program by $1.25 billion.

Additionally, the Farm Bill takes a critical step in transitioning biofuels beyond corn, by reducing the current tax credit for corn-based ethanol and creating a new tax credit to promote the production of cellulosic biofuels. The legislation invests $1 billion in renewable energy, including $320 million in loan guarantees for biorefineries that produce advanced biofuels and a new program to encourage the production of new biomass for cellulosic ethanol and other energy production.

The Farm Bill also reforms traditional agriculture programs, by phasing out help to farmers who don't need assistance.

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