Farm Bill Update

I am pleased to report to you that there has been significant progress in the 2008 Farm Bill. The Conference Committee met until 1:30 am this past Thursday night and closed out many outstanding provisions, getting us closer to a final product.

All elements of the new Farm Bill were approved, leaving only a few remaining issues outstanding. During this last meeting, I offered my supplemental crop insurance program as an amendment that would have replaced the permanent disaster provision. This amendment would have saved money that could have been reinvested into crop insurance, creating more options for producers when making risk management decisions. It would also have eliminated proposed reductions in direct payments to producers. Unfortunately, this amendment did not pass.

We are expected to meet tomorrow to hopefully finish the conference report. Among one of the most important issues to finalize is the commodity programs. Optimistically, if the few outstanding issues are agreed to, we could see the 2008 Farm Bill go to the House and Senate for a vote within the next two weeks.

Completion of the Farm Bill is not only important to the 19th Congressional District, but to the entire nation. We cannot afford to move forward without a sound farm policy for our producers.  Without it, we face the risk of becoming dependent on other nations for food and fiber as we already are for energy. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and finally take this long overdue legislation across the finish line.

Supporting the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008, H.R. 5715

Last week, the House successfully passed H.R. 5715, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008, by a bipartisan vote of 388 to 21. I voted in favor of this legislation. It is a bipartisan bill designed to protect students and families by ensuring that the disruptions in the financial markets do not prevent students from pursuing their higher education goals. This bill has passed both the House and Senate and has been sent to the President’s desk and is awaiting his signature.
 
The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 contains reforms developed on a bipartisan basis to respond to student loan market instability. These reforms include efforts to inject liquidity and restore investor confidence in the marketplace. It creates new flexibility for parents, provided through an optional grace period, which permits them to defer PLUS loan payments until after their children graduate. It also ensures that parents struggling with the difficulties in the mortgage market are not automatically denied the chance to help pay for their children’s education through PLUS loans.

Additionally, it expands loan availability through higher unsubsidized Stafford loan limits, and allows consumer protections for the Lender of Last Resort program, ensuring funds will be available should they become necessary. Finally, this legislation also includes expanded access to grant aid for high achieving, low-income students through the Academic Competitiveness Grants and Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants programs.

The purpose of this bill is to prevent a student loan crisis before it occurs. H.R. 5715 is a pro-taxpayer solution that protects students and families without increasing federal spending. H.R. 5715 is a first step, but it is certainly not the only step. Congress should continue to urge the Secretary of Treasury to provide more solutions to the liquidity crisis in a manner that is efficient and would cause the least amount of disruption to students and families.

National Teacher Appreciation Week – May 4th – 10th

This week across America, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. We recognize the dedicated professionals with whom we entrust our children to learn and grow. Teachers are much more than professionals who assign homework and read from a text book; they are the individuals who touch future generations.

They devote their time, on and off the clock, to ensure that their students receive the best possible education. One thing is for certain; although we recognize a week in appreciation of teachers, it is not sufficient for the responsibilities they carry and the great work they do.

I cannot think of a nobler calling than the education of our youth. While we formally recognize teachers for one week out of the year, we should remember to express our gratitude year round for the job they do in preparing all of our students for life.

We all have teachers we remember who have made a difference in our lives. I was saddened this week to learn of the passing of Ed Jarman, my high school chemistry teacher. After serving his country as a paratrooper in World War II, Ed began a long and fruitful career in teaching that spanned many decades. Thank you, Ed.

As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website at www.randy.house.gov or call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.

--Randy