The dairy safety net did not work in 2009 and it won’t work if similar events occur now. Current dairy programs are not keeping pace with the challenges facing today’s industry. In fact, the current levels of support will actually decrease in September of next year.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced that Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, has joined efforts to reform dairy programs. Simpson is the lead Republican proponent of discussion draft legislation released by Peterson last month.

As we begin today’s oversight hearing, I want to express my concern that the Committee is ignoring some of its important oversight responsibilities.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today made the following statement after releasing a dairy reform discussion draft that would offer protection, create stability and inspire growth in the dairy sector.

“The biodiesel industry is still developing and, with the certainty of the biodiesel tax credit, we can continue to move forward and fully realize our renewable energy potential.”

“Agriculture is under assault in this Congress. We first saw it with the Ryan budget, which cut $178 billion from agriculture programs. And today, Congress approved a bill that makes disproportionate cuts to agriculture, including vital conservation and nutrition programs.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., sent a letter to the House Committee on Rules this afternoon, urging the Chairman to allow Members to strike provisions of H.R. 2112 that would re-write the 2008 Farm Bill.

Today begins part two of Republican efforts to see that the important financial reforms enacted last year never see the light of day. It’s curious that a bill, which supposedly corrects the perceived notion of rushing the rules, is now being rushed. H.R. 1573 was introduced the day before the past two week recess and now, only three days after Congress has reconvened, we are going to vote on it.

The consequences of H.R. 1573 are severe. Provisions that would address speculation in the marketplace, prevent another AIG-like bailout, fight manipulation, combat fraud and take on insider trading would all be delayed. The mandatory clearing and public reporting requirements, which ensure a more open and transparent market, would also be delayed. Frankly, I can’t figure out this bill’s objective, except to push financial reform implementation so far down the line in the hope that these provisions never go into effect.

Today we are reviewing pesticide registration consultations under the Endangered Species Act as they are carried out between the Environmental Protection Agency and either the National Marine Fisheries Services or the Fish and Wildlife Service.