House Split Farm Bill Eeks Approval

Last Thursday the House has passed a farm bill, after removing nutrition programs from the bill by slim 216 to 208 margin, with votes falling along strict partisan lines as House Democrats, concerned with the separation of food and nutrition programs from the measure, staged a strong protest in opposition.

The week prior to the vote House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas had opposed splitting the bill, however as he shared in his remarks prior to the vote on Thursday.

Lucas: “In the situation we are in right now. This, I believe very sincerely, is the most appropriate way to pass a bill that entails 20 percent of traditional Farm Bill spending. I commit to you that we will work on the second piece as hard and as diligently as we can. But please after all the good faith and discussions, in the name of commonality, civility and the nature of making this place work; I ask you pass the farm bill Farm Bill so I can begin to work on nutrition part of the Farm Bill next.”

Idaho Grain Producers Association Executive Director Travis Jones shares

Jones: “Well we are happy to see the bill move forward so that it can be conferenced with the Senate version, and hopefully finally get to the President before folks start thinking about the next crop. We are happy to see it move forward. We were one of the 500 groups that wanted the food and nutrition programs to stay with the farm programs, but we are just happy to see some progress.”