Today’s Senate vote brings us one step closer to having a new, five-year farm bill in place this year. Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran did an excellent job and I applaud their leadership.

I’m pleased the Committee was able to work together, find some common ground, and advance a five-year farm bill today. Needless to say this process has gone on far too long and it is past time to get this bill done.

To me, it’s best to wait until the CFTC has completed its rulemaking and then, if needed, we can make improvements during the CFTC reauthorization process this summer. As I have said before, if the CFTC gets something wrong I am willing to support a correction.

Today’s hearing is to examine legislative proposals seeking to address many of those same concerns and I, again, recommend patience. Despite the bipartisan support that some of these bills may have, I just don’t see how they have any chance passing the Senate.

If the House Republicans do take the Ryan budget numbers seriously, I don’t see how they can be serious about passing long-term farm policy this year. If these are the budget priorities for the House Majority, agriculture might best be served by again extending the current farm bill.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced that the 21 Democratic Agriculture Committee members for the 113th Congress have been finalized.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced that the Democratic Caucus has appointed Connecticut Second District Congressman Joe Courtney to serve on the House Agriculture Committee for the 113th Congress.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced the Democratic Ranking Members and Subcommittee membership for the Agriculture Committee’s five Subcommittees.

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., said that absent an assurance from Leadership, he does not see any reason for the House Agriculture Committee to again go through the process of writing a new five-year farm bill in the 113th Congress.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced 19 of the 21 Democrats appointed to the Committee for the 113th Congress.