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Stabenow: Farm bill debate ‘just getting going’

It is rare to see the level of bi-partisanship currently driving discussion of farm bill amendments, according to Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The Michigan Democrat had high praise Wednesday morning for leaders from both sides of the aisle, who she says are interested in advancing federal farm policy before the current farm bill expires. Failure to act, said Stabenow, means reverting to policies of the 1940s and retaining the status quo.

“We would be extending subsidies that we all agree should be eliminated and we would be going back to the era of paying farmers for things they don’t plant,” said Senator Stabenow, “and that makes absolutely no sense.”

The 2012 farm bill not only represents $23 billion in deficit reduction over the next ten years, said Senator Stabenow, but because of the jobs and export surpluses connected with agriculture, the farm bill advances what has been a bright spot in an otherwise bad economy.

In spite of naysayers, Stabenow expressed confidence that the Senate will get a bill completed.

“I would suggest people not underestimate the number of folks in the Senate who care about these issues, who want deficit reduction, who want reform, who want agricultural policy that works for our country,” said Senator Stabenow, “and we’re just going to keep on working.”

Chairwoman Stabenow, speaking Wednesday morning on a conference call with reporters, warned others to not be discouraged by Senate procedures and amendment debate early in the process.

“We are just getting started here, and we are in a spot where we are negotiating and moving forward and beginning the discussion on the floor,” said Stabenow, adding that Senator Reed wants to light some fires and make sure things move, which, she said, is his role as leader .

“We’re getting going,” said Senator Stabenow. “Yesterday was the first day we actually got started and I appreciate that, because this is a major bill, five-year reauthorization, and it takes a little time to get it done.”

AUDIO: Debbie Stabenow (21 min. MP3)