Farm Bill Vote with McConnell
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is expected to cast the winning farm bill vote in the Senate Ag Committee today after a three-month absence battling a fall and pneumonia.
McConnell, in a wheelchair and looking frail, told reporters Monday that he’s “determined to work to pass farm legislation.”
That’s music to the ears of Senate Ag Chair John Boozman, who told colleagues when the GOP-led farm bill failed in August …
BOOZMAN … “I spoke with Senator McConnell. I know how much he would have wanted to be here to advocate for Kentucky’s farmers and rural communities. We look forward to welcoming him back to the committee soon.”
And senators did welcome McConnell back this week and will do so again when Boozman has scheduled a farm bill re-vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune will decide when the farm bill comes to the floor …
THUNE … “Mr. Chairman, I spend a lot of time with farmers and ranchers back in South Dakota. They talk to me about the uncertainty and the headwinds that they face. And I’ve listened to their priorities and made them my own.”
Including one key farm bill priority …
THUNE … “For many years, Mr. President, it’s been a priority for me and for many of my colleagues here to allow E15 to be sold all year. Mr. President, it’s taken a lot of work to get here, but I’m very proud this farm bill delivers permanent, year-round E15.”
Plus, expanded farm loans, research, rural development, and modernized conservation programs.
The question now is whether Democrats will vote in lockstep against advancing the bill on the Senate floor over its SNAP reforms the way they did in committee.
