With Congress resuming its work in Washington this week, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today urged the House of Representatives to take up and pass the 2012 Farm Bill. The bill garnered broad, bipartisan support when the Senate passed it in June. The House Agriculture Committee passed its own version with bipartisan support. However, neither version has yet to be considered by the full House.
“Congress should not waste any time in getting to work,” Bennet said. “One of our top priorities must be to pass the 2012 Farm Bill. The Senate has already done its work. The House has a bill ready for consideration. Now it’s time to quickly take up and pass the bill so we can provide certainty to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Colorado and across the country. After a year of devastating wildfires and severe drought conditions, we need to show the American people we can come together to help them in a time of need.”
Bennet has been a vocal advocate for passage of the Farm Bill. He spent much of August traveling across Colorado visiting with farmers and ranchers to see drought conditions firsthand. Some of his visits included Harman Brothers Farms in Otis, Hirakata Farms in Rocky Ford, Crowley County Ranch, and Bagwell Ranch in the San Luis Valley.
In July, Bennet spoke on the Senate floor to urge the House to take up and pass a full five-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill. He also sent a letter to House leadership, along with Senator Mark Udall, urging passage the bill, which includes vital resources to assist farmers and ranchers suffering from the drought.