Maybe the farm bill shouldn't be easy. It involves a huge, crucial piece of the American economy, as well as most of the federal hunger programs, and it's legislation where major regional interests collide.

But it should be doable. And so far, the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives has given limited evidence that a farm bill is within its capacity -- or its level of interest.

Last month, by a relatively bipartisan vote of 64-35, the Senate passed its version of the five-year farm bill, trimming spending in various programs. Last week, the House Agriculture Committee passed its version, also in a relatively bipartisan manner, with Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and several other Republicans joining most Democrats in warding off most amendments.

The next step should be a House floor debate -- which the leadership seems in no hurry to schedule.

There are certainly issues with the Agriculture Committee's version. It cuts nutrition programs more than the Senate bill does. It sets up a new farm support system based on current high farm prices, which could end up paying billions to a limited number of soybean, rice and corn growers.

But the current farm bill lapses Sept. 30, and a floor debate is needed to address the issues and move the bill toward a Senate-House conference committee. "Part of the opportunity, if it comes to the floor," says Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., "is to consider some of these questions."

So far, however, the House leadership seems in no hurry to do anything before Congress takes off for the month of August. Reportedly, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., are concerned that conservative Republicans might think spending on subsidies and nutrition programs is too high, while Democrats would object the nutrition cuts are too deep.

But in the worst agricultural drought in half a century, the country needs a farm policy, and a renewal of disaster-relief policy. Places such as Oregon, where agriculture has been a strong point for the economy, also need certainty.

This week, 38 Republican House members and 24 Democrats, including Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., signed a letter urging the leadership to take up the bill.

"While by no means perfect, this farm bill is needed for producers and those who rely on sound agriculture policy and nutrition programs during difficult economic times," said the letter. "We ask that you make this legislation a priority of the House, as it is critically important to rural and urban Americans alike."

The House was unable to pass a transportation bill, instead settling for a two-month extension, allowing the measure to limp into conference committee. The leadership might try the same approach on the farm bill.

But time is running short, and both the weather and farm needs are turning up the heat. The House needs to take up the farm bill, and plant the seeds for progress.

ARTICLE