FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 13, 2012

Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Dan McEvily, 202-314-3104
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WASHINGTON (Sept. 13, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter today urging Congressional representatives to sign a meeting request to discuss scheduling floor time for a vote on the farm bill, which is set to expire on Sept. 30.  The request letter is being circulated by Reps. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., and Peter Welch, D–Vt.

“The Senate and the House Committee on Agriculture have already passed their own versions of the farm bill and the full House must act soon,” NFU President Roger Johnson noted in the letter.  “As such, I urge you to sign the letter to request a meeting with Leader Cantor in order to move the farm bill process forward.”

Also on Sept. 12, Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, filed a discharge petition to get the 2012 farm bill voted on by the full House. If a majority of the House of Representatives signs the petition, the bill will be automatically taken to the floor to be voted on. To view who has signed onto the petition, please click here.

“The filing of today’s discharge petition is necessary because House leadership has refused to bring the bill to the floor. We are encouraging all of our members to contact their representatives to stress the importance of signing the petition and force Congress to act,” said Johnson.  

Johnson served as one of the emcees of the Sept. 12 “Farm Bill Now!” rally that featured speakers from the Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and leaders from supporting organizations who each echoed the need to pass a farm bill as soon as possible. 

More than 200 Farmers Union members joined hundreds of other rally supporters to hear the speakers. 89 organizations representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy specialty crops, consumers, state and local governments, minor crops, energy and bio-based product groups, farm cooperatives and financial groups, endorsed the rally.

Please click here to view the letter.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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