Senate Highway Bill moves forward with agricultural exemptions WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although the Highway Bill (S.1813) has been a victim of partisan politics, according to National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority
Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reached an agreement on the consideration of a series of amendments to the Highway Bill. Two of those amendments, which passed March 13, are of particular importance for farm and ranch families. Specifically, an amend-
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Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO), which waives certain driving restrictions during planting and harvest seasons for producers who are transporting agricultural goods. Bacus said the amendment would allow farmers and ranchers to transport goods during harvest seasons when necessary instead of being subject to certain time requirements. The Farmers’ Freedom Act of 2011, H.R. 2414, sponsored by Congressman James Lankford (R-OK) is similar to the amendment sponsored by Senator Merkley. This legislation exempts certain farm vehicles, including the individual operating the vehicle, from certain federal requirement such as commercial driver’s licenses. According to the U.S. House of Representatives, it is not moving forward with its version of the Highway Bill. Instead, the House will take up the two-year Senate bill, sponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and James Inhofe (R-OK), which was debated in the Senate March 13. Once
Trucks the Senate concludes consideration of the amendments, the bipartisan legislation will be
brought up for consideration. The bill will then move to the House for consideration.
The highway bill: possible change of committee leadership by Mike Oscar On Tuesday, March 6, House Speaker Boehner has sidelined Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Mica after his panel produced a reauthorization of highway programs that stirred strong objections from House conservatives and forced Republican leaders to regroup. Currently, Republican leaders are now relying upon Congressman Shuster (PA) who also serves on the transportation panel, and have given him a pivotal role in working with committee staff and leaders in an effort to write a new bill that bridges differences among House Republicans. Speaker Boehner’s effort to salvage the bill (HR 7), a measure he embraced as his signature legislation, is intended to quickly find the right policy prescriptions needed to secure a House majority in order to pass the reauthorization before a short-term extension (PL 112-30) of the funding for infrastructure programs expires March 31, 2012. The Speaker’s move shows uncharacteristic willingness to publicly rebuke a chairman and turn to other leaders on a panel when that chairman does not draft a bill that can gain the support of a majority of Republicans. Congressman Shuster ranks 10th in the party seniority on the panel and his father, Congressman Bud Shuster (PA), reigned as the committee’s powerful chairman from 1995 to 2000. Source: NDFC E-letter for March 9
March 19, 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS New England • Section B - Page 17
2009 Better Built Gooseneck
ment brought forth by Senator Jeff Merkley (DOR) will exempt drivers of farm vehicles from having to acquire a commercial driver’s license. Another amendment, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), will waive hours of service restrictions during harvest seasons. “Farmers and ranchers are not professional truck drivers and shouldn’t be treated as such. Hauling livestock to market two times a year is hardly the same as hauling goods across the country on a daily basis. Subjecting family farmers and ranchers to costly requirements is an unnecessary burden we cannot afford,” said Bacus. “NCBA and its members were pleased to see the U.S. Senate approve two commonsense amendments that differentiate agriculture from commercial transportation.” The amendment brought up by Senator Klobuchar is similar to H.R. 3265, sponsored by