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 Lawmakers passed the bill, which extends current law until Jan.
31, on a voice vote and sent it to the Senate, where the Democratic
leaders oppose it and chances of passage are low.
The four top farm bill negotiators hope to agree soon on a framework
for the new law so it can be passed when Congress returns to work in
the new year.
"Pass the extension ... and we on the Agriculture Committee will
take care of our business in January," said Frank Lucas of Oklahoma,
the committee chairman. He said House and Senate negotiators were
making "incredible" progress on a compromise bill.
Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, who chairs the Senate Agriculture
Committee, says a sizable number of senators oppose the extension
because it may trigger $5 billion in "direct payment" subsidies to
growers. The new farm bill would end those subsidies.
In addition, Democrats argue the "dairy cliff" — an explosion in
dairy prices caused by an underlying 1949 law — is a fiction.
"It's not necessary," said Rep. Jim Costa, California Democrat, in
opposing the extension. Costa and Lucas were the only lawmakers to
speak during the House debate.
Congress is more than a year late in replacing the 2008 farm law,
which expired in fall 2012 but was extended until Sept. 30.
Dairy subsidies will revert on Dec. 31 to terms of an underlying
1949 law that would double the price of milk in grocery stores.
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters on Wednesday that
"it is unlikely we would have that (price increase) in place" during
January. It was the second time he ruled out an immediate price
increase.
All the same, Lucas said the temporary extension was a prudent step
that would end "panic" at the possibility of $8 a gallon milk.
"We are making significant progress in our negotiations with the
Senate," said Lucas. "I'm confident we will complete the conference
report in January."
The major issue for the farm bill is the size of cuts in food stamps
for the poor.
Majority Leader Eric Cantor spearheaded the House call to cut $40
billion over 10 years with tighter eligibility rules that would
disqualify up to 10 percent of food stamp recipients. The Senate
voted for $4.5 billion in cuts by closing a loophole on utility
costs.
Enrollment in food stamps has doubled and the cost of the program
nearly tripled since 2004.
(Reporting by Charles Abbott; editing by Gary Hill and Bob Burgdorfer)
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