WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — The Farm Bill remains on hold until Congress returns from recess next month, but Sen. John Hoeven expects the legislation to advance when lawmakers return.
Hoeven said the Senate Agriculture Committee recessed rather than adjourned after a tied vote because Sen. Mitch McConnell was absent.
“Well, in essence, we tied. Instead of adjourning the committee, we recessed because Mitch McConnell wasn’t there. We just recessed, and when we come back into session, we expect to have Senator McConnell with us, and then we’ll have a majority, and we’ll go ahead and vote it out and take it to the floor. It’s really important that folks are out talking to their senators now these next few weeks and telling them how important it is that we get this Farm Bill passed.”
SNAP remains a major point of contention, although Hoeven said a compromise has been offered.
“We have offered a compromise. I think what we had on the table was fine before. Now we’ve added an extra year compromise. We thought that was going to get it done. They seemingly have backed up on us again. I just think people have to say, look, don’t hold our farmers and ranchers hostage. Let’s get that done for them. They need the help. We’ve got very low commodity prices, high input prices. Our guys need the help now.”
Hoeven is also hoping to see year-round E15 make progress before lawmakers wrap up for the year.
