Udall Renews Call on House to Pass a Responsible Five-Year, Deficit-Reducing 2012 Farm Bill

Statement

Mark Udall renewed his call for the U.S. House of Representatives to take up the 2012 Farm Bill, in light of the House's decision not to put forward a one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill. The U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee passed respective five-year farm bills with broad, bipartisan support; however, the House originally sought to forgo consideration of the Senate's deficit-reducing bill and pursue a one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill.

"I am glad to see that my colleagues in the House have abandoned a one-year extension of the status quo," Udall said. "Our constituents sent us here to lead -- not kick the can down the road. The 2012 Farm Bill, which passed the U.S. Senate with big support from both parties, eliminates wasteful spending, reduces the deficit by $23 billion, and secures programs that provide much-needed certainty for farmers and ranchers. The House should have an up-or-down vote on the 2012 Farm Bill and reject Washington-style partisan gamesmanship."

Udall has repeatedly pushed the House to take up the 2012 Farm Bill, including a recent letter to House leadership. Udall successfully amended the 2012 Farm Bill earlier this summer to include provisions to strengthen its forestry title and to double the annual funding for bark beetle mitigation.

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