WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — With the lame-duck Congress back in session, lawmakers are facing renewed pressure to pass a new farm bill before the end of the year.
University of Wisconsin’s Anthony Chergosky says the end of election season could give lawmakers more time to focus on bipartisan negotiations.
“The pathway to a farm bill in the lame duck is members of Congress being freed from having to worry about the election, being freed from the demands of the campaign trail, and being able to focus on bipartisan cooperation during one of the few moments in the political calendar where bipartisan cooperation can really happen, which is the lame duck period. Now, when it comes to the farm bill, that’s a really interesting one because the deal has frayed a little bit.”
While Chergosky has low expectations for the lame-duck session, he says there is still a possibility of passing a farm bill this year.
“When I say that I recommend people having low expectations for the lame duck, it is because a lot of members aren’t particularly motivated at this stage to have grand ambitions. So, if the farm bill happens, it would be a little bit of a surprise, but I can see a pathway where the immediate post-election period can open the way to bipartisan deal-making in a way that the heat of the campaign season does not necessarily lend itself to.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters this week he would like to find a path forward on the farm bill but acknowledged lawmakers will likely be racing against the clock.
Meanwhile, the Senate is losing another advocate for agriculture following the midterm elections.
Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith has conceded her race to Scott Colom after a narrow defeat. In a social media statement, she said:
“While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters. I want to congratulate Scott Colom and wish him well as he takes on the tremendous responsibility of representing our great state.”
Hyde-Smith’s loss expands Democrats’ advantage in the Senate to 55-44 over Republicans, adding to the political changes facing lawmakers as they return to Washington.
