22 Nov 00 
(Sunup Program to be aired 23 Nov)

1. Congress and the President had planned to come back after the election and wrap up the spending bills. What=s happened with the lame duck Congress?

BThey both agreed that events in Florida were too distracting.

BSo, they are waiting until that business is wrapped up, and the President has jokingly referred to being willing to Aquack for the next 10 weeks@.

BThe President has been to Vietnam.

BCongress did some limited work on a few non-spending bills.

BThe Republican leadership is crafting alternative strategies, depending on who becomes the next president.

BThe tough issues won=t be faced until 5 Dec.

BWe=ve seen key Congressmen supporting the spin on either side.

BIf we still don=t know who the president will be in December, who knows what will be happen.

2. In Oklahoma, there are still some areas damaged by the year=s drought. What=s the latest on federal assistance?

BCounties approved for the Emergency Conservation Program include the following:

BIn the Southwest: Beckham, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Washita, Comanche, Cotton, Caddo, Grady, Stephens

BIn the Southeast: Pontotoc, Johnston, Coal, Atoka, Bryan, Pittsburg, McIntosh, Latimer, McCurtain

BCounties awaiting approval include Garvin and Murray.

BCounties canceled by County Committee include Roger Mills, Tilman, Jefferson, Carter, Love and Marshall.

BCounties approved for emergency grazing of Conservation Reserve Program land include Beaver, Harper, Ellis, Woodward, Major, Blaine, Harmon, Greer, Jackson, Tilman and Jefferson.

BKiowa was denied approval for emergency grazing.

3. The Fed met last week and decided to stand pat on interest rates. Is this a sign that the economy has stabilized?

BThe Fed decided to take no actions to attack inflation. They seem to be supporting recent reports that the economy is slowing.

BThe federal funds rate will remain at 6.5%.

BEconomic growth has slowed from 5.6% annual rate in the second quarter to a third quarter rate of 2.7%.

BConsumer spending has also slowed.

BIndustrial production is down slightly.

BOil prices and the Stock Market and the resolution of the presidential election continue to loom over the economy.

BOPEC indicated in the past week that there would be no increase in production, suggesting oil prices won=t improve any time soon.

BThe Stock Market has dropped in some categories over 20%, especially in the technology area.

BThe questions in resolving the presidential election may have a downward impact on the market if it continues into December.

4. There seems to be some rumblings about whether a new farm bill next year. What are you hearing?

--The Clinton Administration continues to attack current farm legislation and call for a stronger safety net.

--The comments are intended to send a message that the next farm bill should have some type of counter-cyclical policy.

BCharlie Stenholm, the minority leader on the House Ag Committee, and is on the short list for nomination to be Secretary of State in both the Bush and Gore administrations, is calling for an increase in farm support in future budgets.

BThe House Ag Committee Chair Larry Combest really wants to have a new farm bill next year and wants more funds in the baseline.

BThe tight results suggest that a 2001 farm bill is unlikely, but it is all uncertain at this point.

5. The latest results on Congressional elections suggest that the GOP lead has been cut. What=s the latest?

BIt looks like the Republicans will retain their lead in the House, but they lost 2 seats. So it seems to be 212 to 221.

BIn the Senate, it is still too close to call, but the GOP will have 50 or 51 seats, while the Demos will have 49 or 50. It couldn=t be closer.

BWith the electoral vote uncertain and the popular vote giving Gore an edge of less than 0.26%, it only emphasizes the fact that whoever is the next president will have no mandates and questionable legitimacy in the minds of the public.

6. Other news affecting agricultural producers and rural communities:

a. Mad cow disease has apparently returned to Europe, perhaps in France and Great Britain. This will likely cause a decrease in beef consumption. In the US, partly as a precautionary move, the GAO has called for more federal regulation of animal feed through the FDA.

b. Secretary Glickman is indicating that crop loan rates for 2001 will remain unchanged: wheat $2.58, corn $1.89, soybeans $5.26 to maximize benefits to producers.

c. Global warming meetings in Europe this week are proving controversial. Increasing evidence that global warming is real coupled with debate over what practices will fight the phenomenon are proving difficult.

d. Congress passed rules to reform the foreign sales corporation (FSC), in hopes to head off $4 bil. in sanctions by EU.

e. China=s talks with the WTO will resume Dec. 5. Some negotiators remain optimistic that China may become the 140^th member of WTO in 2001.

f. Congress has asked the GAO to study grocery store slotting fees. Fees quoted at $5,000 per item could be posing unreasonable barriers to small business and farmers in direct marketing. Some claim that consolidation in grocery chains has made the problems worse.

g. A District Court ruling gives pesticide manufacturers and ag producers the right to challenge EPA science policies under the FQPA. This decision could change EPA rulemaking procedures.

7. Congress

a. Recent/Current:

BFew House and Senate sessions on continuing resolutions.

BFew committee meetings to wrap up business

b. Upcoming:

BPrimary focus is to complete action on all appropriations bills & close 106^th Session.

c. Other key issues for this session of 106^th Congress:

--dealing w/Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.

--consideration of tax cut & appropriations bills

(tax cuts for farmers appear dead)

| Wrap-Up Home |