[20001215]RS20452_农业和第106届大会：主要问题概述.pdf

Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20452Updated December 15, 2000Agriculture and the 106th Congress: A Summary of Major IssuesJean Yavis JonesSpecialist, Food and Agriculture PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryMost congressional interest in agriculture in the 106th Congress was focused onpersistent low prices for major commodities and proposals to redress declining farmincome. Six emergency farm aid bills were approved, increasing agricultural spending bynearly $27 billion for fiscal years 1999-2001. These bills provided disaster relief alongwith short term “market loss payments”to farmers to shore up farm income. Some longerterm changes also were enacted as part of emergency farm legislation. Among these werethe extension of the dairy price support program beyond 2000, increases in the farmerpayment limit so farmers could receive the supplemental payments, and the exemptionof agriculture products from unilateral U.S. trade sanctions. The Congress also approveda new law (P.L.106-224) increasing coverage and premium subsidies for crop insurance,which added another $8.2 billion to