As negotiations continue on a new Farm Bill and as the deadline on an extension of the 2002 legislation loomed, Congress passed a second extension of the current law. The first extension of the 2002 Farm Bill was due to expire on March 15. The new extension keeps the 2002 bill in place until April 18, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. The 2002 Farm Bill originally expired on September 30, 2007.

Those involved with the negotiations report that progress on the new legislation is being made. However, according to Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, there is "still a considerable amount of work" to do. Among the sticking points are funding oversight jurisdiction by Congress for some of the affected programs, including some conservation programs, and producer-income levels that affect crop subsidy programs. It is not surprising that negotiations have been difficult, inasmuch as there were substantial differences between the original versions of the bill that were passed in the House of Representatives and Senate, both of which differed substantially from a draft provided by the Administration last spring. The White House has threatened to veto the bill if Congress passes a version that doesn't comply with some of the requirements outlined by the Administration.

Immediate, substantial progress is unlikely because Congress is scheduled to take a two-week, spring recess beginning March 16. In addition, Congressman Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a key participant in resolving some of the funding issues, has been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms and unavailable to participate in negotiations. (pmr)