WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Lawmakers are back on the hill this week after spring break. Farm Bureau economist Brian Glenn says the Farm Bill, the cornerstone of agriculture legislation, should be one of the first issues they tackle.
“Congress returns from recess next week, and congressional leadership must act quickly to get this done,” Glenn says. “I think that is heard from even the highest levels of leadership, that they want to deliver on this. So, we will continue to share that message, and it’s important that everyone continues to share the message of the need to get a farm bill done.”
Glenn says a new Farm Bill is long overdue, noting that the industry is currently operating under the third extension of the 2018 legislation.
Lowering Farm Inputs and Healthcare Costs
While the Farm Bill is top of mind right now, it is far from the only issue getting attention in Washington. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, wants to address a key input cost this year.
“One of the big input costs is health insurance. So, this is going to be the next big bill,” Feenstra says. “We’re going to try to get it done in the reconciliation part two. In the farming community, a lot of them buy their own health insurance, and if you’re talking $24,000 to $30,000 a year for some of these farmers. So, we’re looking to lower that cost by making sure we have transparency, making sure that they can pay in cash, making sure there’s more competition, making sure we lower pharmaceuticals. All these things are going to be in this next reconciliation bill. That is very, very significant. And that’s sort of what’s being talked about in the halls of Congress today and the next couple of weeks.”
A second reconciliation package is still a long way out. Congress needs to pass a budget resolution first, and many believe it could happen after the midterms this fall.
Securing Market Access Through USMCA
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is also set for review this summer, but U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warns the July deadline could come and go without an agreement.
“I think that we aren’t probably going to be able to resolve all issues by July 1st, but I think that we are on track to resolve many of them and to move as quickly as we can.”
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) helped pass the USMCA through Congress several years ago, saying it requires some adjustments but should absolutely remain in place.
“Except for the tweaking, I’ve made very clear that the advantages of this agreement are so good for American agriculture as well as all segments of the American economy that we ought to get it extended for a very long period of time,” Sen. Grassley says.
In a recent call with farm reporters, Grassley said he has seen the benefits of the USMCA firsthand, noting it has helped stabilize trade and allowed his state’s ag industry to grow significantly.
