In a recent campaign stop in Iowa, Governor Mitt Romney attempted to turn the tables on President Barack Obama and a slew of Midwest Democrats by claiming that the president’s lackluster leadership was the root cause of the failure of the farm bill.

The 2007 Farm Bill expired on October 1 without a replacement bill having been approved by the House and Senate. Officially, 1940s era farm policy is the official law of the land (although current farm programs are paid for through early 2013). For months, the House of Representatives has refused to vote on the Senate farm bill (passed on May) or on the House Agriculture Committee draft of the farm bill (passed in July). This delay was largely due to political maneuvering by House leadership.

In a campaign stop in Iowa, however, Romney attempted to blame President Obama for the farm bill delay. “People have been waiting a long time for a farm bill. The president has to show the leadership to get the House and Senate together. This legislation provides important peace of mind for farmers and ranchers through programs that help manage market volatility and respond to natural disasters. Unfortunately, that peace of mind has been wiped away by a Congress stuck in gridlock and a President unwilling to show leadership on the issue.”

House Democrats have struck back by reminding voters that the House leadership refused to even put the farm bill on the House’s summer legislative agenda and attempted to block efforts to force the bill to a floor vote.

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer