Farm Bill Chances
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson. What are the prospects for getting a new Farm Bill before year's end?
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman says recent conversations with farmers have upped the urgency and that key lawmakers are actively engaged in negotiations with momentum building …
BOOZMAN … “As we speak, the four corners, the ranking and chair of the committee in the House, committee in the Senate, their staffs are meeting, trying to work out our differences. We've had good success in doing that. We'll have a few things that we can't agree on. We'll push those up to leadership and see how we decide. But we're close, and I think that we've got an excellent chance of getting this done.”
Boozman believes that reality could bring compromise, including with Minnesota Governor-elect Amy Klobuchar, the ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee …
BOOZMAN … “I think that there is an incentive for her and really the rest of the members of the Ag Committee in the Senate and in the House to get this done, in the sense that she's from a huge farm state. She understands better than anybody how difficult it is out there.”
If Republicans are willing to compromise on Dems request for a two-year delay in SNAP changes …
BOOZMAN … “I'm open to talking and doing whatever we need to do. I'm not saying that we would change it. I'm not saying that we wouldn't. Again, I think I can fairly say that both sides are working in good faith to come to an agreement.”
Boozman says a bipartisan approach will be critical as new committee members take their seats.
