With the deadline for a new Farm Bill come and gone, lawmakers are now trying to finalize a plan for the nation’s spending, and that could complicate the Farm Bill process.
Bart Fischer with Texas A&M University says the current bickering on Capitol Hill is likely a good indicator of the challenges facing the Farm Bill. The 2018 legislation expired over the weekend, just as Congress passed a last-minute stopgap spending bill to keep the government running, but that deal is only good through mid-November.
Fischer says there are still a lot of unknowns regarding this year’s Farm Bill, and discussions around money for it will likely be challenging.
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Farm Bureau members met with congressional leaders, USDA officials and White House staff to discuss issues affecting agriculture.
The NCBA says the Senate Farm Bill strengthens key cattle programs but leaves Proposition 12 and year-round E15 unresolved while officials respond to New World screwworm cases.
Temporary aid is often delayed, uncertain, and repeated assistance may also contribute to higher input costs.
The proposal would shift Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole from the State Department to USDA.
Thompson says he remains confident the Senate can advance the bipartisan farm bill before time runs out.
Senate Agriculture Committee chair John Boozman says there wouldn’t be enough votes to pass the full Farm Bill if the Prop 12 fix were included, as bipartisan support is necessary to advance the legislation.
