09/14/12 Wednesday, Congressman Joe Donnelly attended the Farm Bill Now rally held on the National Mall. Donnelly joined with Hoosier farmers from several agricultural groups that have formed a coalition to support the passage of a Farm Bill this year. If Congress does not act to pass a new Farm Bill, the current Farm Bill will expire on September 30, 2012. Donnelly made it clear that he stands with Hoosier farmers and will continue to demand a vote on the Farm Bill before it expires.
“Hoosier farmers deserve a vote on the Farm Bill now,” said Donnelly. “Farmers face an incredible amount of uncertainty, whether it is from Mother Nature or market prices. We cannot allow the inaction of Congress to be another cause for concern. Republicans and Democrats should come together and pass a Farm Bill before it expires. Our agriculture community has been a powerful economic force in recent years. We cannot afford further inaction.”
On July 12, the 2012 Farm Bill passed out of the House Agriculture Committee by a bipartisan vote of 35 to 11. In July, Donnelly joined a bipartisan effort to bring the 2012 Farm Bill to the House floor before the August District Work Period. He also gave a speech on the House floor urging his colleagues to pass a new Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is not currently scheduled for a vote on the House floor.
