Thoughts from Washington

U.S. Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, on …
The 2007 farm bill: Better prices lately have meant less spending, so it’s likely there will be less money to go around this time.
Immigration reform: New legislation should include a guest worker program.
Horse slaughter: In 2006, Boehner voted against the bill banning horse slaughter in the U.S.

Sen. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, on …
The 2007 farm bill: The administration needs to devote more money to the bill so it provides an adequate safety net for farmers.
Death taxes: Brown supports an exemption, not a repeal. He said if the government doesn’t receive those taxes, funding would have to be cut somewhere.
Immigration: There’s a chance of seeing a bill that doesn’t provide amnesty, but allows some path to citizenship.

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., on …
The 2007 farm bill: Lawmakers need to figure out how to maintain a safety net for farmers, even in times of high prices.

U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, on …
Alternative energy: Schmidt wants to reduce oil consumption by 20 percent over the next 10 years.
Horse slaughter: Schmidt favors a horse slaughter ban.
Death taxes: “I sympathize with you land owners who are trying to figure out ways to keep your farm.”

U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio, on …
The 2007 farm bill: Space wants to see more funding than what’s been allocated to the bill.
Death taxes: Space is opposed to eliminating death taxes all together, but he is open to the idea of a cap, perhaps at $5 million.
Horse slaughter: Space is opposed to a horse slaughter ban.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, on …
Immigration: Border security is important. The senator supported a bill for a guest worker program.
Alternative energy: “We’ve got to have a Sputnik-like commitment to doing it as soon as possible.”
The 2007 farm bill: It should “provide a sensible safety net for farmers.” Voinovich said money is the driving factor in the new farm bill.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Ohio, on …
Horse slaughter: Wilson does not support the bill banning the practice.
Death taxes: “If we can get rid of the death tax, I’m all for it.”

(Reporter Janelle Skrinjar welcomes feedback by phone at 800-837-3419, ext. 22, or by e-mail at jskrinjar@farmanddairy.com.)