We’re Comfortable in Both a Field of Soybeans and a House of Congress
The goal of our national affiliate, the American Soybean Association, is to make Congress aware of the reality on the ground. Use the links below to learn about current issues and how your membership dues continue to help influence national legislation.
National Priorities
| Name | Summary |
|---|---|
| 2012 Farm Bill | ASA/SDSA supports making farm programs more efficient, effective, and defensible. With limited flexibility due to a low CBO baseline and no prospect for additional funding, our efforts are focused on helping producers better manage risk through improvements in the ACRE program and by making crop insurance more viable for farmers in regions where participation is low. While efforts to achieve these goals may need to be coordinated, we oppose addressing crop insurance as part of farm bill reauthorization, or subjecting producer indemnities to payment limitations. |
| Ag-Related Regulatory Actions | ASA/SDSA urges Senate passage of H.R. 872, which will remove duplicative and onerous new permitting requirements for pesticide applications already approved for use. ASA/SDSA urges Congress to express concern to the FCC about interference with GPS signals used by agricultural producers that would result from LightSquared’s proposed broadband network, and to ensure that these issues are resolved before giving final authorization to LightSquared. ASA/SDSA supports continued use of science-based Environmental Assessments by USDA in deregulating new biotech traits and improved procedures to speed deregulation decisions. |
| Biodiesel | SDSA/ASA supports H.R. 2238 and S. 1277, which provide a three year extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. ASA supports continued implementation of the RFS2 program, including the proposed 1.28 billion gallon biodiesel volume requirement for 2013. ASA supports re-authorization and increased mandatory funding for the Biodiesel Fuel Education program in the 2012 Farm Bill. |
| Biotech Approvals | SDSA/ASA supports legislation requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to allow the production and marketing of crops with traits that have been deregulated by APHIS pending resolution of court decisions that otherwise would impede commercialization. |
| FY-2013 Soybean Appropriations | For FY-2013 appropriations, SDSA/ASA supports:$298 million for the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI); Full funding for USDA working lands conservation programs; Not less than $1.9 billion to fund international food assistance programs; $200 million for MAP and $34.5 million for the FMD Program. |
| Offshore Aquaculture | ASA supports implementation of marine aquaculture policies that will lead to development of a domestic offshore aquaculture industry. |
| Trade Expansion | SDSA/ASA supports legislation that will graduate Russia from the Jackson-Vanik amendment and establish PNTR with Russia. ASA supports TPP negotiations that achieve new market access for soy and meat. |
| Transportation & Infrastructure | SDSA/ASA urges co-sponsorship and support for WAVE4. ASA supports sufficient funding for Corps of Engineers to maintain dredging activities on the Mississippi River system to prevent disruptions to barge traffic. ASA urges co-sponsorship and support for the RAMP Act. ASA supports enactment of a surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes continuation of the hours of service exemption for agriculture. |