House Majority Leader Eric Cantor was in Watertown Monday to give his support to fellow Republican Matt Doheny and tour Knowlton Technologies.

But reporter questions centered on a piece of legislation key to many in the north country - the Farm Bill that didn't pass.

It's Cantor's job, as the House Majority Leader, to introduce legislation to be voted on.

Cantor refused to bring the proposed Farm Bill to a vote.

He says it's because there just wasn't enough support.

"The reality is, Mr. Owens knows, the votes are not there. We want to bring a bill to the floor which institutes the proper relief to the farmers that need the certainty," said Cantor, referring to incumbent Democratic Congressman Bill Owens, who Doheny is challenging.
 
Cantor said that he expects some action on the Farm Bill during the lame duck session after the election, but wouldn't speculate on whether he would bring it to a vote.

"If it's gonna pass, we're gonna need to do some tweaks and that's why I'm here, 'cause Matt's got his ear to the ground," said Cantor.

In September, Doheny scolded House leadership on both sides of the aisle for not passing a farm bill. 

Cantor was that leadership for the Republicans.

Now, one of the men Doheny scolded in September is backing him in October.

"The leader and I - we've talked about it. He certainly knows I'm a passionate advocate to make sure our family farmers' dairy crop or otherwise actually have the certainty.  And certainly we think right now, we need bi-partisan cooperation," said Doheny.

For Owens' part, he said in a news release Monday that Doheny was "putting political priorities ahead of New York farmers" by campaigning with Cantor.

After the tour of the facility, the two went to a Doheny campaign fundraiser at Savory Downtown. 

If the Farm Bill is not passed in the lame duck session, Congress will have to start from scratch on a new one come January.