House Committee Advances WRRDA

BLOOMINGTON – While the full House of Representatives devoted their energies last week to defunding the Affordable Healthcare Act, or Obamacare, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee managed to advance the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The passage of the bill, which would speed up inland waterway improvement projects by the Army Corps of Engineers and boost harbor maintenance funding, was lauded by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA).

“The vote is a positive sign, and we call on the full House to take up and pass WRRDA without delay,” said Bill Raben, ISA chairman from Ridgway. “Illinois soybean farmers rely on the network of waterways, locks, dams and ports to move our products from farm to market. Many links in that chain have been, or are in danger of, a catastrophic failure that would bring a stop to commerce. This bill and its companion in the Senate would begin the process of addressing the backlog and improving our vital waterways infrastructure.”

Included in the House bill is the Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act (WIN-P3) introduced by senators Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin, along with representatives Cheri Bustos and Rodney Davis, all of Illinois. The act creates a pilot program to examine agreements between the Corps and private entities to provide alternative funding for inland waterway projects, including lock and dam modernization on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. (ISA news release)

Illinois Corn: House WRRDA Not Enough

BLOOMINGTON – Not all in agriculture are thrilled with the House version of the waterways act (WRRDA; see above item), including the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA), which indicated the legislation is missing a key component: an increase in the waterways user fee. The increase, which is supported by agriculture and most barge operators and shippers, would provide a funding mechanism to enhance completion of vital inland waterways infrastructure projects.

“Although we’re certainly supportive of the House moving some version of WRRDA legislation so that it may conference with the Senate’s WRDA bill passed earlier this year, we’re troubled that an increase in the user fee is not in the current legislation,” said Paul Taylor, ICGA president, in a news release. “From a procedure standpoint, the additional increase of the user fee should originate in the House Ways and Means Committee. Without increased funding, we’re looking at two more generations of waterways users dealing with this crumbling infrastructure.”

An analysis of river projects and potential appropriations has found that it could be the year 2070 before crucial updates are made to the LaGrange lock and dam, according to ICGA.

“We already are dealing with locks and dams that are now 80 or 90 years old. There’s no way they can last another 50 years,” Taylor said. “We hope that the members of the House Ways and Means Committee work to include the user fee increase in the WRRDA bill that passes the House.”

House Votes to Strip SNAP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives further endeared themselves to many in the agricultural community by voting to pass their Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act, significantly reducing the amount of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The vote, taken September 19, was 217-210 for passage.

“I remain committed to getting a five-year farm bill on the books this year. Today’s vote was another step toward that goal,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), who is chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. “The House passed a bill that makes common-sense reforms to SNAP that encourages and enables work participation, closes program loopholes, and eliminates waste, fraud and abuse while saving the American taxpayer nearly $40 billion. SNAP serves an important purpose to help Americans who are struggling, so it is equally important that we ensure the program is working in the most effective and efficient way. I look forward to continuing conversations with my House and Senate colleagues as we move toward a farm bill conference.”

Vilsack: House SNAP Bill “Harmful”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was not impressed with the House’s stated attempt to forward a five-year farm bill by stripping SNAP from the legislation and defunding the program to the tune of $40 million. He issued the following, brief statement the same day Lucas championed the work of the House in passing a SNAP bill decoupled from the Farm Bill:

“Today’s vote was a highly partisan step that does nothing to promote a bipartisan, comprehensive farm bill and stands no chance of becoming law. The harmful plan championed today by House leadership would deny critical nutrition assistance for millions of Americans, including working families with children, senior citizens, veterans, and adults who are still looking for work. The Senate has passed a bipartisan Farm Bill two years running. Now it’s time for House leadership to do their part by appointing conferees as soon as possible and completing the comprehensive bill that farmers, ranchers and rural Americans deserve.”

Farmers Battle Chipotle Message

BLOOMINGTON – Perhaps you have seen the new, anti-farming advertising campaign being promoted by Chipotle Mexican Grill. The animated short film, “The Scarecrow,” feeds on the suburban fear that food is being produced by uncaring, money-hungry corporations, according to Illinois Farm Families. In response, the coalition of farmers invited more than 20 urban moms from the Chicago area to visit the family beef farm of Mike and Lynn Martz in Maple Park to learn more about cattle farms, antibiotics, hormones and animal agriculture.

“I don’t know how you work against such negativity,” said one urban mom who has participated in past farm tours sponsored by Illinois Farm Families. “Have you seen this (advertisement)? People have such strong feelings based on no facts.” Illinois Farm Families hopes to change those negative perceptions — fueled by irresponsible attacks such as the latest promotional assault by Chipotle– through their awareness program, one non-farmer at a time. (Ill. Farm Families news release)

Illinois Farm Fact:

Soybeans are the nation’s largest agricultural export. (American Soybean Assoc.)

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)