Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today followed up with the 77 Members of Congress that joined them in calling on Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Democratic Leader Pelosi and Democratic Whip Hoyer on July 19^th to bring a Farm Bill to the floor. In a “Dear Colleague” letter, Reps. Noem and Welch urged the bipartisan group to keep fighting for a Farm Bill, writing “as you go home to work in your districts during the August Work Period, we urge you to talk with your delegation and Members of Congress in neighboring districts on the importance of not letting the Farm Bill lapse.”

“Farmers and ranchers get up every day to do a job that helps drive our economy and puts food on the table for millions of American families,” said Rep. Noem. “Getting a Farm Bill done this year isn’t just imperative to the men and women who put their livelihood on the line to feed our nation, it is critical to the families that budget and worry about food prices. I’m proud of every Republican and Democrat who has stood up and recognized the need to get a Farm Bill to the floor, and I will continue working to get a Farm Bill done this year.”

“Farmers around this country are counting on Congress to do its job and pass a Farm Bill,” said Rep. Welch. “Just because that job is difficult is no excuse not to do it. Congress is failing in one of its most fundamental responsibilities. America needs a farm bill. It's time to act.”

Dear Colleague,

We recently led a bipartisan group of 79 Members urging House leaders to bring to the floor the five year Farm Bill voted out of the House Agriculture Committee on a strong bipartisan vote.

Recently, the House passed H.R. 6233, the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act. This bill will help livestock producers facing drought losses by extending the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP), and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Under the House-passed bill, while livestock producers would receive disaster assistance, this assistance will expire on September 30, 2012. 

We must pass a five year farm bill to provide farmers and ranchers long term certainty as they make planting decisions for the coming crop year. We need to work together to support producers with sound agriculture policy so they can continue to provide Americans a safe and affordable food supply.  As you go home to work in your districts during the August Work Period, we urge you to talk with your delegation and Members of Congress in neighboring districts on the importance of not letting the Farm Bill lapse.

When you return to Washington, I hope you join us to urge our leaders to take action on the Farm Bill.  Time is running out.  America needs a Farm Bill.  

Sincerely,

KRISTI NOEM
Member of Congress

PETER WELCH
Member of Congress