The Senate Ag Committee finally moved its farm bill through to the full Senate for a vote. Chad Smith has more on what’s next.
Smith: The Senate Ag Committee approved its version of the farm bill on a 12-11 party line vote. Brian Glenn, director of government relations for the American Farm Bureau, said it’s a big step forward in the push for a new farm bill.
Glenn: We are one step closer to a full final farm bill, and I will say that we are as close as ever. With the House already passing a strong bipartisan bill, we will need to continue to keep the pressure on, and we need lawmakers to come together and pass a strong bipartisan five-year farm bill by the end of the year.
Smith: With all the difficulties farmers and ranchers face in this economy, Glenn said the Senate bill “meets the moment” in many ways.
Glenn: It is comprehensive. It provides program and policy updates across all 12 titles. These are programs that have not been addressed since 2018. It updates loan limits and enhances financing options and the credit title. It includes year-round E15 to boost the farm economy.
Smith: He talked about what’s next in the farm bill process.
Glenn: House and Senate committee staff will need to work through differences between the House Farm Bill and the Senate Ag Farm Bill over the next two months. We need a strong bipartisan Farm Bill by the end of this year.
Smith: Chad Smith, Washington.
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