The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) may well speak for all of America with its statement following Election Day 2014 – Time to Get to Work!

“Washington may look different come January, but fundamentally, things have not really changed,” said NCGA president Chip Bowling of Maryland. “There is no sign that the gridlock of the past few years will diminish. Like many Americans, corn farmers are frustrated that their voices go unheard and so little gets done. We welcome both new and returning Members of Congress back to Washington, and we urge them to set aside partisan politics and meet their obligation to conduct the nation’s business.”

American Farm Bureau president Bob Stallman had a similar message. “Some will debate the meaning of the vote, but this much is clear to us at the American Farm Bureau Federation: Americans want – our farmers and ranchers need – common-sense governance and a halt to the punishing regulatory overreach that ignores the law and the courts,” said Stallman. “The nation, too, has grown weary of extremists who offer little more than disinformation and misguided ballot initiatives at the state level. Americans want elected leaders who work together to find solutions to move our country forward.”

One piece of business agricultural interests would like to see the current Congress tackle in the coming lame duck session is tax extenders. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson says there are tax breaks important to family farmers and ranchers that need to be extended before the end of the year.

“NFU will strongly pursue the extension of expiring tax provisions for small business expensing and renewable energy during the upcoming lame-duck session of congress,” said Johnson. “Family farmers and ranchers rely on these provisions that are critical to managing their business.” Johnson also noted that for well over 100 years, NFU has worked with members on both sides of the aisle and looks forward to continuing this tradition into the 114th Congress.