Des Moines Register | May 25, 2001
The Iowa Democrat says he'll push for big changes as commitee chairman.
By GEORGE ANTHAN and JANE NORMAN, REGISTER WASHINGTON BUREAU
Washington, D. C. - Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said Thursday he will push for big changes in U.S. farm policy as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, including a safety net for farmers when commodity prices drop and a greater emphasis on conservation.
"There will be significant changes to Freedom to Farm," said Harkin, referring to the 1996 GOP farm policy intended to move the United States toward a more market-oriented approach. "There will definitely be a safety net."
Harkin, who will become the first Iowan to lead the agriculture committee since 1910, spoke after Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont announced he was leaving the Republican Party. The move means Democrats will take control of the Senate and lead its committees. Harkin is the ranking Democrat on the agriculture committee.
Harkin has long identified himself with a band of Midwestern senators who call themselves "Prairie Populists." They have sought programs to boost farm prices, increase conservation and improve government scrutiny of agribusiness mergers and consolidations.
Iowa farm leaders say Harkin's ascension to chairman should mean good things for the state.
"Iowa is the major corn-producing state, and if you have somebody from your state, corn certainly will not get the short end of the stick," said David Boettger, a Harlan, Ia., farmer and president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.
Emily Eide, an official of the Iowa Farm Bureau, said, "Obviously, having an Iowan in charge means our interests will be heard."
Harkin agreed. "Agriculture is still our No. 1 industry in Iowa. And how policy is set really affects how much money we make in the state."
Harkin has regularly referred to the GOP's Freedom to Farm Act as the "Freedom to Fail Act." He strongly opposes its guaranteed annual payments, which are not tied to farm prices. He also says the money often goes to people who are not actually producing crops.
Harkin is set to play a major role in revamping the act because it expires at the end of this year and a new farm program must be developed by Congress.
"I think this will change the face of the upcoming farm bill," said John Whitaker of Hillsboro, Ia., president of the Iowa Farmers Union.
Many analysts predict more modest changes. There's still a Republican in the White House, and they point out that Harkin has already been working closely with the committee's current chairman, Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana. The Democrats' thin margin will require cooperation.
"I don't think the farm bill coming out of the Senate Agriculture Committee next spring will be significantly different from the one that would come out under the power-sharing agreement" that has been in place between Lugar and Harkin, said William Lesher, a former Department of Agriculture chief economist and now a consultant.
Al Tank, an official of the National Pork Producers Council in Washington, said there could be significant differences.
"Everything has changed, from policy to politics, not only in agriculture but in everything related to agriculture, including taxes, trade, the environment," Tank said.
Harkin said he would not support attempts by House Republican leaders to split the next farm bill into sections, passing the segment related to commodities this year and then moving on to nutrition, conservation and food-safety programs next year. Harkin said the Senate will take up a traditional unified farm bill.
Reporter George Anthan can be reached at (703) 907-5005 or anthang@news.dmreg.com
Copyright 2001, The Des Moines RegisterDes Moines Register:
