Vermont Delegation: MILC Payments
When Enacted Will Be Retroactive

Leahy, Jeffords And Sanders
Are Optimistic On Final Step
For MILC Program Extension

(THURSDAY, Dec. 22) -- Vermont’s Congressional Delegation – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Jim Jeffords (I) and Rep. Bernie Sanders (I) – Thursday said MILC program payments to Vermont dairy farmers will be retroactive to Oct. 1, 2005, if prices fall below the trigger price before the MILC extension becomes law.

The Senate Wednesday passed the budget package that contains the MILC extension but made unrelated changes in the package that must also be approved by the House.  The House’s Republican leadership Thursday decided to hold a roll call vote on the final version of the budget bill and do not plan on scheduling that vote until late January or early February.  The Delegation members said they remain optimistic about the MILC extension’s prospects through that final step in the legislative process.

The Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC), which Leahy, Jeffords and Sanders led in including in the 2002 farm bill, expired on Sept. 30.  The extension legislation championed by Leahy, Jeffords and Sanders will continue the program up to the next farm bill, in 2007.

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