Katrina Top Concern as Congress Returns

Congress has returned to work from its August recess and members are focused on disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims and Supreme Court nominations.   This has forced a change in the order of issues it will address.  With the devastating events, the Senate has postponed regular business and will be dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as well as the passing of Chief Justice William Rehnquist. 

The U.S. Supreme Court begins its next session Oct. 1.  President Bush had nominated John Roberts to fill the existing vacancy.  He is now proposing Roberts become the chief justice. 

Hurricane relief efforts in Congress might overwhelm similar efforts for drought relief in states that didn’t get enough rain this year.  With the current federal budget deficit and the need for spending cuts, Congress may have trouble focusing beyond the Gulf Coast devastation. 

Also this fall, Congress will have to complete work on budget, appropriations, trimming federal farm spending over the next few years and begin working on the next Farm Bill.

NCBA Calls Farm Bill Summit

Agriculture industries are turning much of their attention to the 2007 Farm Bill debate that will soon take center stage.  In an effort to guide this debate, NCBA is holding State Affiliate Executive Summit in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 20-21. Cattle producers will hear from Washington, D.C., insiders with expertise in Farm Bill policy and begin laying the groundwork to assure a unified voice in the formulation of the next Farm Bill. 

As in decades past, NCBA members are the leading voice representing the nation’s cattle producers in the development of the new Farm Bill and will address the specific needs of the cattle industry throughout this extensive legislative initiative.

Congress also needs to complete work on the Agriculture spending bill for fiscal year 2006, which begins on Oct. 1. Both chambers must agree upon versions to finalize in conference and approve.

Death Tax Postponed

The Senate vote on the Death Tax vote likely will be postponed due to current events, but producers are encouraged to keep up the pressure for the Death Tax vote.  Senate leadership remains committed to bringing Death Tax repeal to a vote as soon as it is practical to do so.

NCBA’s analysis document for cattle producers on permanent repeal of the Death Tax is online at: www.beefusa.org/DeathTaxAnalysis2005.aspx or by contacting NCBA’s Washington, D.C., office.  Go to www.beefusa.org and send a letter to your senator about your personal experience with the Death Tax. For key points for cattlemen, go to http://www.beefusa.org/uDocs/ DeathTaxandCattlemenKeyPoints2005.pdf.