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Jeff Armstrong, L. Washington Lyons, and
Bob Steele have asked us to forward the following message to you:
CREATE-21/Farm Bill Update - NOT a
Call to Action
As you know, Farm Bill reauthorization activities are in full gear.
Both the Senate and the House have held hearings on the Research
Title of the bill with presentations made on CREATE-21, the
Administration’s proposal, and the Danforth proposal. Bruce McPheron
(Penn State) presented testimony on behalf of CREATE-21 at the House
hearing last week and did a fantastic job. In addition, National
C-FAR recently hosted information sessions on the Hill for
congressional members and staff, focusing (separately) on CREATE-21
and the Danforth proposals.
S. 1094 (CREATE-21) was introduced in the Senate on April 12 by
Senators Stabenow and Casey. The House is working on language for
their version of a bill that reflects much of what has been proposed
by the CREATE-21/Farm Bill Committee. This bill may be introduced in
the House by May 22 and will be a modified version of S. 1094 that
will exclude ARS, Forest Service R&D, and ERS in the reorganization.
It will also include statutory changes recommended by our 1890
colleagues as well as those which relate to programs in nutrition,
forestry, rural development, international trade, energy, and
conservation that were proposed through the BAA’s Farm Bill
Committee process. Several other suggestions (e.g. veterinary
medicine, eXtension) will be included in report language. Most of
these are now posted on the CREATE-21 Web site: (www.create-21.org/provisions.htm)
Throughout this process of advocacy for CREATE-21 there has been
substantial “push-back” on the proposed reorganization which would
combine ARS, CSREES, ERS, and Forestry R & D. (There has also been
similar concern expressed about the Administration’s proposed
reorganization.) This opposition has had some resonance among staff
in both House and Senate, such that discussions are ongoing as to
mechanisms that can be legislated to ensure greater programmatic
efficiency and effectiveness among programs within USDA without a
complete reorganization.
We are confident that language emanating from the House committee
will address this in ways which maintain the principles of CREATE-21
but not totally merge the agencies. At the same time, there
continues to be strong congressional support for inclusion of
significant elements of the Danforth proposal (as with CREATE-21) to
significantly bolster funding for fundamental research. There is
also strong support for both protecting and growing institutional
capacity (formula) programs with targeted enhancements for 1890,
1994, and small 1862 land-grants, and AASCARR institutions and
increased funding for translational (integrated) research,
extension, and education efforts.
It is anticipated the House subcommittee will markup their bill on
May 22 with the Senate beginning the markup process during the week
after the Memorial Day recess (the week of June 4). This is an
accelerating (and ever changing) schedule with events happening fast
and furiously.
The Cornerstone team is in constant discussion with staffers on the
Hill as they draft their work for the committees to ensure that the
principles upon which CREATE-21 is based are represented in the
legislative drafts. The CREATE-21 leadership (the co-leaders and
executive committee) and the Policy Board of Directors are being
kept up-to-date as decisions need to be made.
If the CREATE-21 leadership believes a decision is minor and well
within the principles approved by the system, we are making the
decision and moving fast. If we believe a change is more pronounced,
we are consulting with the PBD Chair, Fred Cholick. Regardless, we
are keeping the PBD up-to-date. We will
continue to keep the BAA family informed as the process moves ever
forward. Please be alert to “Calls to Action” that may be necessary
within very short time frames. In the future, we will be sure to
clearly note when a “Call to Action” is necessary. Let us ask you in
advance to react quickly when you receive such a “Call to Action.”
Thank you for your support.
Jeffrey Armstrong, L. Washington Lyons,
Robert Steele
CREATE-21 Cochairs |
