WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2012 – Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) remained hopeful today, despite dwindling congressional time, that negotiators could complete work on the farm bill before the end of the year.
Stabenow told reporters that negotiators continue to wait for a resolution of the so-called “fiscal cliff,” which could lead to massive cuts for federal programs.
“It’s up to [House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio)] to move on the fiscal cliff,” Stabenow said. “If he wants to get it done, we’ll get [the farm bill] done.”
Later, Stabenow told senators on the floor that negotiators “are still working very hard to complete a farm bill.”
In the meantime, she urged the Senate to include emergency assistance for drought-ravaged areas and fruit tree growers as part of a package aimed at helping victims of Hurricane Sandy.
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