Senate Farm Bill Proposal
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Senate Ag Chair John Boozman has completed his farm bill draft, but despite bipartisan efforts, Democrats aren’t sold yet.
It’s not what Boozman included that could jeopardize the farm bill, but what he left out, including a delay in state SNAP cost sharing.
GOP Senator Chuck Grassley …
GRASSLEY … “If there were discussions between Boozman and Klobuchar as the Ranking Democrat, it isn’t resolved because it’s not in the mark. And if it were resolved, I think he would have it in his discussion mark.”
But Boozman also left out Republican asks to ease Democratic opposition …
GRASSLEY … “I’m disappointed that this draft excludes language on Proposition 12 and also leaves out permanent year-round sale of E15.”
The House farm bill blocked California’s Prop 12 limits on hog confinement but kept a pesticide liability shield and gave no delay on SNAP state cost-sharing …
GRASSLEY … “What the Democrats want is a two-year extension of the time deadline. That’s 17-and-a-half billion dollars. That’s a pretty big chunk to swallow.”
Adding …
GRASSLEY … “And until that’s worked out, I think it’s going to be difficult to get a bill out of committee, unless it’s a party-line bill, and then you take the fight to the floor.”
Where it would take at least seven or more Democrats just to bring up a farm bill needed to deal with high input costs like fertilizer and low commodity prices.
Boozman and the House would build on last year’s reconciliation bill that increased reference prices, crop insurance, and conservation, boosted loan limits, and funded rural broadband and infrastructure.
Boozman aims for a bill markup between the July 4th and August recesses.
