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Pelosi says farm bill should be re-worked

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says the Republican farm bill that went through committee mark-up this week is unamendable and needs a new start.  The California Democrat told reporters Thursday the measure – passed out of the House Agriculture Committee along party lines – cannot be fixed.

“[Republicans] are undermining the safety net that is there for farmers, which is particularly difficult when we have low commodity prices and the president’s tariffs, which are harmful to farms,” said Pelosi, during a news conference, “so it’s not just about SNAP.”

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway told Brownfield there were ideas from Committee Democrats that he would like to have seen as amendments, but he said that did not happen.

“I can’t force them to the table,” said Conaway, responding to a question from Brownfield Ag News about maintaining bipartisanship in farm bill debate.  “I’m open to it, I’ve done nothing to flush them off.”

Pelosi describes the Republican-proposed measure as abandoning America’s farmers and hungry families.  Chairman Conaway says he’s willing to look at whatever constructive ideas Democrats offer.

AUDIO: Nancy Pelosi news conference (5 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Mike Conaway and GT Thompson news conference (31 min. MP3)