Peterson seeks action on legislation before Thanksgiving

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, fresh off a comfortable re-election win, is lobbying Republicans who control the House to bring a farm bill up for a vote by year's end.

The western Minnesota Democrat said the bill needs a decision before current federal farm policy expires this year.

"The election is over, so it's time to get to work," he said, adding that he is opposed to just extending existing law. "I'm optimistic that, if given the chance, we have the votes to pass a five-year farm bill. There is no good reason not to vote on the bill when we return next week, before Thanksgiving."

A vote before Thanksgiving would give lawmakers time to work out differences between House and Senate versions of the bill, said Peterson, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.