Vilsack Calls For Farm Bill Reforms

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack urged Congress to break a logjam and pass a reform-minded farm bill, but two lobbyists said the deadlocked $500 billion bill may not be enacted for months, or even a year. According to Reuters, Vilsack, who is expected to stay at USDA for at least the start of President Barack Obama’s second term, said the department would do everything we can to implement a new farm bill in time for the 2013 harvest next fall.

With deficit reduction at the top of the agenda for lawmakers during a brief post-election session, Vilsack said reform becomes a very important component for the farm bill, already six weeks overdue.