WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The Senate Farm Bill faces an immediate deadline as lawmakers run short of legislative days before the election. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman says failure to move the measure through committee now could leave too little time for final passage.
The largest obstacle is a dispute over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Democrats are seeking a two-year implementation delay, while Republicans have offered one year.
Boozman says the proposal contains stronger support for row crops, specialty crops, livestock, dairy, forestry, and farm lending. It also incorporates roughly 100 bipartisan bills requested by members from both parties.
Only about three legislative weeks remain before lawmakers leave again ahead of the election. Committee approval must be followed by Senate passage, negotiations with the House, and another vote in both chambers.
The chairman says uncertainty after the election makes immediate action increasingly important. Producers remain without a completed replacement for legislation originally written around much older production costs and market conditions.
