We made it through another election year, survived the bombardment of news coverage and did our civic duty by voting. It seems like a good time to take a break from politics, sit back and wait to see what happens. And yet, the lame duck session of Congress during the next two months requires our attention still.
The lame duck session of Congress begins this week. A lame duck session of Congress occurs when Congress meets after legislative replacements are elected, but before the new representatives’ terms begin. The surprising reality is that the Representatives and Senators on their way out are not under pressure to hold their party line; they are free to compromise to a moderate position. They have an opportunity to act solely with their legacy in mind. In the past, lame duck representatives have authorized funding for World War II, have approved a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia and in 2002, created the Department of Homeland Security.
What is at stake in this year’s lame duck session? The recent Congressional habit of kicking the can down the line means there are a whole lot of cans to be dealt with before the new year. During the next two months, Congress has an opportunity to consider important changes to modernize the Farm Bill, make sure taxpayer funds are being used wisely and protect the well-being of the Mississippi River. House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor committed to bringing up the Farm Bill during the lame duck session.
The Farm Bill is the single most important piece of legislation that impacts people, food and farms in the United States. Every five to six years, Congress writes a new Farm Bill to regulate and fund a number of programs, such as those that protect the soil and water on farmers’ lands. For the first time ever, Congress allowed the previous bill to expire, failed to pass a new bill and left America’s farmers teetering with uncertainty.
For months, River Citizens like you and me have contacted our Representatives regarding the need to pass a Farm Bill. We are paying special attention to make sure the new Farm Bill protects the health of the Mississippi River. 1 Mississippi supports the Senate’s provisions, which aim to limit erosion and the loss of wetlands, two areas imperative to mitigating the affects of droughts and floods. Top soil is too important to be lost and farmers around the country are realizing the benefits of cover crops and no till farming in the soil If you are interested in seeing a real life example of these methods, watch this farmer’s videos demonstrating his results in “What I learned about My Farm in Two Minutes in the Rain”, part two here.
House leaders could vote to just extend the 2008 bill, which makes a disproportionate number of cuts to conservation programs and does not include the needed reforms that were included in the new Senate version. The National Wildlife Federation’s September blog post offers a good explanation of the two different Farm Bills struggling for approval by Congress.
Sarah Binder, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, an independent nonprofit organization focused on research and public policy said, “When lawmakers return, the emerging consensus goes, that they will take their cue from the voters.” In a democracy, it is our job, our right and our duty to tell our representatives what changes in legislation we think are best for the country. There is an easy way for you to tell your representative you support a Farm Bill that promotes the protection of the Mississippi River.
Read the letter provided here and send it to your leaders in Congress.
It will go directly to your Representative so your voice, joined with a community of other River Citizens, will make a lasting impression.