On Wednesday, June 19, the Market Access Program (MAP) was sustained by a vote of 322-98 in the U.S House of Representatives during debate on amendments to the long-delayed Farm Bill. The debate may be read in full at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2013-06-19/pdf/CREC-2013-06-19.pdf, beginning on page H 3875. The next day, however, after all amendments had been considered, the Farm Bill itself failed on final passage by a vote of 195 yeas to 234 nays. The results show continued strong, bipartisan support for export promotion programs, but a shift of 20 votes is still needed to achieve House passage of the final overall Farm Bill.

MAP and its sister program, the Foreign Market Development program (FMD), fund the federal share of a public-private partnership to promote the export of U.S. agricultural products. These programs have helped make the United States the world’s leading agricultural exporter, despite the significant and frequently larger export support programs funded by the governments of our competitors abroad. Critics, nonetheless, argue that export promotion is an inappropriate use of federal funds, especially in an era of budget stringency.

Congressional supporters of MAP, however, cite the USDA estimate that each dollar of federal investment in MAP generates a $35 increase in export sales. That support was echoed by U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Tom Sleight: “The Council does not lobby Congress, but we are very appreciative of the hard work of our members and of the ag sector across the board, in defending market access programs. 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside the United States. Exports are the future of U.S. agriculture and export promotion is essential for all of us.”

The Senate version of the Farm Bill also provides for reauthorization of MAP, so the overwhelming bipartisan show of support in the House should ensure MAP’s future if and when a new Farm Bill is finally enacted. Reauthorization, moreover, is only half the battle. The federal government continues to face an extremely difficult budget situation, with major challenges to overcome in the appropriations process in the months ahead.