Farm Bill Prospects: Optimism in the House, Calls for Extension in the Senate

Pro Farmer analyst Jim Wiesemeyer notes that even if a farm bill had been passed last September, a long-term extension would still have been necessary to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions through a conference process.

Thompson highlights key issues in the farm bill, including securing funding for changes to the farmer safety net and addressing base acres, among other unresolved matters. The timeline for completing a new farm bill this calendar year is doubted by many, with consensus on critical issues still elusive.

In the Senate, Democratic Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Republican John Boozman advocate for an extension. Stabenow emphasizes the complexity of the process, expressing commitment despite potential delays. She argues that it would be irresponsible to divert attention from a multi-year farm bill that provides stability for farmers.

Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, David Scott, calls for a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. Citing the challenges posed by extremism within the House Republican Conference, Scott emphasizes the need for certainty and support for farmers, ranchers, and foresters. While bipartisan efforts continue for a new farm bill, the uncertainties in the legislative landscape make a five-year reauthorization increasingly unlikely by year-end, prompting the call for a responsible one-year extension.