Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after House leaders finally allowed the farm bill to go to conference to reconcile the differences with the Senate. Iowa's farmers and rural communities have been operating without a farm bill intact since October 1st, when the previous farm bill expired and reverted back to the permanent law from 1938 and 1949.
"Today's action further demonstrates Congress' dysfunction. Our farmers and rural communities are currently facing the double whammy of the closure of USDA resources because of the shutdown on top of an expired farm bill. The current situation is unacceptable.
"Moving the farm bill to conference is the least that should happen to go forward and finally help our farmers and rural communities, Iowa's economy, and those who rely on nutrition assistance. The fact that our farmers and rural communities have been operating without a farm bill is inexcusable. House leadership should have taken action months ago. Now that the House and Senate will finally be able to meet to work out the differences between the two bills, they must act without further delay to develop a long-term, comprehensive farm bill that can be signed into law."
###
