WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — As the Senate Agriculture Committee began debate on a long-awaited farm bill, Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas urged lawmakers to work through remaining differences and advance legislation he says is critical for farmers and ranchers facing continued financial pressure.
Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report ahead of the hearing to discuss the legislation and the issues still being negotiated.
In his interview with RFD News, Moran explains that one of the biggest sticking points remains changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Democrats are seeking a two-year delay before states are held financially accountable for high payment error rates, while Republicans have proposed a one-year delay.
“I hope we see cooperation from Sen. Amy Klobuchar and our Democratic colleagues on the committee,” Moran told RFD News. “In many of our states, this is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress considers, and we’re already behind schedule.”
Moran said he hopes Democrats will compromise, arguing the dispute should not derail a bill that includes broad support for agriculture. He noted that farmers continue to struggle with low commodity prices, high input costs and, in Kansas, the lingering effects of years of drought.
“This ought not be the stumbling block that prevents so many good things from happening,” Moran said. “I hope my Democratic colleagues understand the circumstances agriculture is facing.”
Moran also highlighted year-round E15 sales as one of the bill’s key provisions, saying language was carefully crafted to address concerns from small refineries while expanding demand for U.S. corn.
“We are doing what needs to be done to get the votes to pass the Senate,” Moran said. “The E15 provisions have been drafted to keep small refiners satisfied while providing an important benefit for agriculture.”
In addition to E15, Moran is pushing an amendment to permanently move the Food for Peace program from the State Department to USDA, saying the transition has already begun on a temporary basis and should become permanent.
Lawmakers are expected to consider as many as 200 amendments during the markup, making for what Moran described as a lengthy but important day.
“This is important,” he said. “We’re going to do everything we can to get an end product so we can negotiate with the House and get a farm bill to the president.”
Moran also emphasized the need to modernize farm lending programs by updating loan limits that are currently based on production costs from more than a decade ago.
He said improving access to credit is essential for producers who rely on operating loans each year to plant crops and maintain their operations.
“Every time a farmer or rancher goes to the bank, they have to demonstrate they have the cash flow to pay back the loan,” Moran said. “These government credit programs help farmers survive into another year.”
The Kansas senator said producers back home have made it clear they want Congress to finish the farm bill after years of delays.
“I love talking to farmers and ranchers in Kansas,” Moran said. “They need certainty, and I encourage producers across the country to contact members of the Agriculture Committee and let them know how important it is to get this bill done.”
Moran said the committee should work through disagreements rather than allowing them to prevent passage of legislation that he believes is essential to the future of rural America.
“When farmers and ranchers are successful, rural communities are successful,” he said. “If you care about rural America, you have to make sure farmers have the opportunity to continue into the next generation.”
