Farm Bill Deadline
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. The farm bill clock is ticking, with little sign of any progress toward the writing of a new law before the existing farm bill expires September 30th.
With no text yet on the Senate side, a cautionary warning from House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson to draft a bill before the August recess …
THOMPSON … “We have three options for the upcoming farm bill: Let it expire, pass an extension, or craft a bill that works for farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters nationwide. Of course, this is predicated on bipartisanship and the will of the House and Senate.”
Which has been tainted by the latest House GOP push to achieve deeper spending cuts through annual spending bills that the president agreed to.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the concern is mounting …
GRASSLEY … “I’m increasingly concerned that we’re going to fall behind on getting a farm bill done by September 30th and have to give a one-year extension.”
Finishing a farm bill is complicated this year by the tight
budget, an ideological fight over expanding SNAP work requirements, and the usual regional fights between Midwest and Southern crops.
Senate Ag Ranking Republican John Boozman of Arkansas …
BOOZMAN … “Southern agriculture’s different than the ‘Is’—Illinois, Iowa, Indiana…the Great Plains are different. California’s very different—they can grow anything.”
Boozman has already warned he won’t support a farm bill without increased help for his producers struggling with steep input costs.
The big question is where the money will come from, and can a consensus be reached before the current farm bill runs out?
