The Senate Agriculture Committee is aiming for a farm bill markup at the end of May or early June, following the House of Representatives’ recent passage of its version, according to a May 4 report. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman said that progress in the House has been helpful and that bipartisan cooperation will be necessary to advance legislation.
The farm bill’s progress is important as it addresses key issues for farmers, including credit limits and support programs. The Senate version will require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, meaning at least seven Democrats must join Republicans for it to pass. Boozman said, “Congress wants to get a farm bill done.” He added that he appreciates House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn GT Thompson’s approach with the so-called ‘skinny farm bill,’ noting, “I think what’s going to happen is we’re basically going to take his bill, maybe change it just a little bit working together, so we can have a product we agree on so we can move it expeditiously.”
Boozman also emphasized the need to update credit limits: “I think the most important thing that we need to do is increase the credit limits. The 2018 Farm Bill was actually based on 2012 data. The world is totally different now than it was in 2012.” He further explained challenges faced by farmers: “If you’re building a structure on your farm or making a loan for something, those loans, because the cost has increased so much, just don’t work anymore. The good news is those things don’t cost a lot…as far as us backing it from a federal standpoint.” On bipartisanship efforts with Senator Klobuchar he said: “We’ve done some really important things in the past. She’s a good partner…she understands how important agriculture is and is committed…that’s where we’re at.”
The House passed its version of the skinny farm bill last week by a vote of 224-200 after removing provisions related to year-round E15 sales and pesticide industry benefits. Fourteen Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure; however, policy disagreements remain as it moves forward in Congress.
As reported by Politico’s Grace Yarrow, this marks significant movement since Congress last reauthorized major agricultural legislation in 2018 amid ongoing pressure from farming groups seeking bipartisan solutions due to high production costs and economic uncertainty.
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