In response to a letter to Senate leadership today encouraging "timely and open debate" on the recently introduced Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, the American Soybean Association (ASA) voices its support of the overwhelmingly bipartisan effort to consider the legislation that will reauthorize the nation’s farm programs. Earlier today, Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) joined 40 of their colleagues in urging Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring the Farm Bill to the floor.

"The bill takes steps to reduce the deficit and decrease government spending by $23 billion. It passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on April 26 with a bipartisan vote of 16 to 5," wrote the senators in the letter. "This sets an example of how senators can come together in a bipartisan way to craft meaningful, yet fiscally responsible, policy. We believe there is strong support in the full Senate to consider the bill in a fair and open manner that allows senators the opportunity to offer amendments."

"We are particularly encouraged by the broad and diverse coalition of senators that have lent their support to this letter, and we echo their call to bring the legislation quickly to the floor in the interest of America’s soybean farmers," said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. "The nation depends on a vibrant agriculture sector, and agriculture depends on a practical and workable Farm Bill. The ramifications of this legislation are indeed huge, and it remains our goal to see a Farm Bill in 2012."

"The risk management, conservation, research, trade promotion and nutrition programs in the legislation impacts nearly every American," stated Johanns, Baucus, Blunt and Cantwell in a statement. "Many of these programs will expire at the end of the year if no action is taken to reauthorize the farm bill."

ASA represents all U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA’s advocacy efforts are made possible through the voluntary membership in ASA by more than 21,000 farmers in 31 states where soybeans are grown.

###

For more information contact:

Steve Wellman, ASA President, 402-269-7024, wellmanfarms@sbllcweb.com
Patrick Delaney, ASA Communications Director, 202-969-7040, pdelaney@soy.org