Senate Ag Chair John Boozman said he plans to take up a five-year farm bill within weeks, regardless of any possible delays a similar bill may face in the House. The Chair is quoted as saying “weeks, not months,” although he didn’t offer any specifics. Bozeman did tell U.S. agriculture groups not to think delays were inaction, as he noted lawmakers and congressional leadership are discussing how to advance the bill.
The most recent action on the farm bill came in the House, when Ag Committee members voted 34-17 to advance a new farm bill. However, reports say that the bill itself remains controversial, and several sticking points may make it difficult to advance out of the full House. One particularly contentious part of the bill is protection for pesticide companies from legal claims about the product’s health impacts. The inclusion threatens Republican support from the Make America Healthy Again movement.
-NAFB