Profitable crop prices soften Farm Bill delay

WATERLOO --- The 2007 Farm Bill may be hog tied by bureaucratic red tape, but local farm leaders say the absence of new legislation shouldn't impact farmers in the near term.

The 2002 Farm Bill, which many local producers and farm organizations hailed as a success, expired at the end of September. Congress, though, departed for Thanksgiving break last week without a new five-year version to take its place. Both political parties blame each other for the delay.

The House of Representatives passed its $286 billion version in July. The Senate, though, failed recently to do the same. Its bill is estimated at $288 billion.

Senate Democrats said Republicans tried to kill or delay the bill by offering numerous and irrelevant amendments, like immigration. Republicans countered by saying the opposition is trying to stifle the political process. More than 250 amendments were offered.