Congress passed H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act (so-called fiscal cliff legislation), to prevent tax hikes on a majority of American taxpayers.

P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

January 2, 2013

1 Min Read
Farm Bill Extended in Fiscal Cliff Agreement
The farm bill extension was the result of fiscal cliff negotiations between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Vice President Joe Biden.

Congress passed H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act (so-called fiscal cliff legislation), to prevent tax hikes on a majority of American taxpayers.  The bill raises income tax rates for individuals making more than $400,000 and for couples making more than $450,000. Included in the bill is a one-year extension of most farm programs in the current farm bill, effective until Sept. 30, 2013. The farm bill extension was the result of fiscal cliff negotiations between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Vice President Joe Biden. The bill continues direct payments and the current dairy program, which were major issues.  Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was critical of extending the farm bill and not dealing with a five-year farm bill. She said, “They not only do not extend all the titles, but they do not include critical disaster assistance.” More details next week.   

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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