To Members of the NASULGC System:

The House of Representatives gave final approval yesterday to H.R. 4766, the F.Y. 2005 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Attention now turns to the Senate where the appropriations schedule remains completely up in the air. (Although staff and members have been ready for markup for several weeks now, nothing has been scheduled.)

There were few amendments offered during the House floor debate to the CSREES accounts of interest to NASULGC member institutions. The only amendment of any consequence was offered by Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) to provide increases of $250,000 for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; $1 million for tribal extension grants; $750,000 for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and $1.5 million for the Hispanic Education Partnership. The Baca amendment was defeated on a roll call vote: 205 to 209.

Debate on the Baca Amendment:
http://www.nasulgc-bac.com/documents/FY2005/Baca_Amendment_Floor_Debate.htm

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) renewed her amendment to provide $6.0 million for the Farmer's Market Promotion Program (authorized under the last Farm Bill, but never funded). As you recall, Rep. Kaptur offered a similar amendment during the House Appropriations Committee markup of H.R.4766. However, Kaptur did not try to use the NRI as an "offset" to fund her amendment as she tried to do in committee. In any case, the Kaptur amendment was defeated 206 to 213.

Summary of House Floor Activities (with links to recorded votes):
http://www.nasulgc-bac.com/documents/FY2005/House_Floor_Actions.htm

Fred Hutchison
Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations