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Jamie Dupree's Washington Insider

Posted: 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2010

The Chickens Are Back 

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By Jamie Dupree

As Democrats try to push a $192 billion bill through Congress this week that is jammed with tax breaks, tax increases and extra jobless benefits for the unemployed, a familiar poultry provision has made the cut once again.

There it is on page 383 of the bill - or at least the current version - "EMERGENCY LOANS FOR POULTRY PRODUCERS."

Many of you might remember this one from back in February, when it surfaced in one of the early versions of the "tax extenders" legislation, and sure enough - it's still around.

The plan makes available $75 million in emergency no-interest loans for certain poultry producers who were dumped by a specific company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy during "the 30-day period beginning on December 1, 2008."

That company was determined to be Pilgrim's Pride, who got rid of a processing facility in El Dorado, Arkansas.

Let's remember that the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee is Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Democrat of Arkansas.

As for the combo jobless benefits-tax breaks-tax increases-and more bill, Democratic leaders in the House were still searching for votes last night.

If they find a majority, then they might try to jam the bill onto the House floor for a vote late on Wednesday, but as of now, wavering Democrats have not gotten in line.

"As always, the leadership makes the decision on the timing of bills," said Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), the temporary Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, acknowledging to reporters that arms were still being twisted.

One other problem for Democrats is even if they get something through the House, there is no assurance that the Senate will approve the same bill.

And right now, it won't surprise anyone for Congress to leave town on Friday without having finished this bill, meaning that extended jobless and COBRA health benefits will run out for some - again - next week.

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