[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1545-H1546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AGRICULTURAL CREDIT ACT OF 2009

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3509) to reauthorize State agricultural mediation programs 
under title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3509

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural Credit Act of 
     2009''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 506 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 
     U.S.C. 5106) is amended by striking ``2010'' and inserting 
     ``2015''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Baca) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
the bill H.R. 3509.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 3509, the Agricultural Credit Act of 
2009. This bill would reauthorize funding for the State agricultural 
mediation grant program, which operates under title V of the 
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. The grant program for the agricultural 
mediation program was established more than 20 years ago to respond to 
the agricultural crisis of the 1980s. Mediation helped agricultural 
producers, their creditors, and USDA agencies address disputes through 
a confidential and nonadversarial process that takes place outside the 
traditional legal system of foreclosure, appeals or litigation. This 
bypasses a lot of the bureaucratic red tape that usually comes with 
resolving these conflicts, saving taxpayers money in the process.
  Earlier in the month, the House Agriculture Committee approved this 
bipartisan legislation by unanimous voice vote. I urge my colleagues to 
support the extension of this successful initiative.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 3509, the Agricultural Credit Act of 
2009. I'm an original cosponsor of this bill, and I ask my colleagues 
to join me in voting for this legislation to reauthorize the State 
agricultural mediation program. The State mediation program provides 
our farmers and ranchers with a voluntary and low-cost service to 
mediate disputes that may arise between their creditors and themselves 
and to address adverse decisions with the USDA. The State programs do 
this in a confidential and nonadversarial setting outside of the 
traditional legal process of foreclosure, bankruptcy, appeals, and 
litigation.
  Like most of the country, the agricultural sector is currently 
experiencing increased financial stress, which has created a greater 
need for the services of the agricultural mediator program. The 
Agriculture Committee favorably considered this bill with no 
opposition, and I ask my colleagues to join me today in supporting the 
continuation of the USDA agricultural mediation program.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma 
for carrying this legislation. I think it's good bipartisan 
legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3509.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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