American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman is voicing his group’s frustrations that the U.S. House failed to take up a comprehensive, five-year farm bill before departing for the election recess. According to Wellman – ASA cannot overstate the disappointment in the House for ignoring the voices of American farmers. By failing to act on a new five-year farm bill – he says Congress has let farmers down. Wellman says it’s a sad statement on the perceived lack of importance of rural America in Washington when a bipartisan bill that provides certainty for farmers, livestock disaster assistance, nutrition programs, crop insurance improvements, conservation of natural resources and reduces the Nation’s budget deficit is shelved in favor of scoring political points in an election year.

As Members of Congress return to their districts to court votes – Wellman says ASA is encouraging all soybean farmers to voice their concerns. Then – when Congress returns after the election – Wellman says the excuses and the foot-dragging must stop. He says the House must dedicate itself to passing a new comprehensive five-year farm bill that provides farmers with the stability, security and certainty they need while doing agriculture’s part to contribute to deficit reduction. Anything less – according to Wellman – will be another failure by Washington on the part of American farmers.