As key agriculture programs approach expiration, tensions are rising in Washington over the next version of the farm bill. With the reconciliation bill having excluded several ag priorities, a 2025 farm bill battle appears inevitable this fall.
“Several key agriculture programs that Republicans didn’t get in the reconciliation bill will expire soon. Punchbowl says a farm bill battle is coming in the fall because Republicans will likely need Democrats’ help to construct a smaller farm bill.”
While the previous legislative effort—referred to by some as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—addressed much of the broader package, a proposed skinny farm bill now has to grapple with controversial spending cuts. Chief among them is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a critical support system for millions of Americans.
“While the One Big Beautiful Bill took care of much of the farm bill, the deep cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will make it harder to get the legislation over the finish line.”
Despite the looming challenges, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle still see room for compromise. During her appearance at Farmfest in Minnesota, Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar struck a hopeful tone.
“I still think there’s hope. There’s hope, because we still have other work to do.”
In the House, Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson aims to move the process forward by releasing legislative text in the coming weeks.
“GT Thompson wants to release some legislative text in September, but that will depend on how quickly the staff work gets done in August.”
However, House Ranking Member Angie Craig cautions that the bill’s framework is still in its infancy.
“Ranking Member Angie Craig said they’re in the ‘very early stages’ of discussing what they’d like to see in the skinny farm bill.”
As the September deadline approaches, farmers, rural communities, and advocacy groups will closely monitor negotiations. With SNAP cuts, funding shifts, and bipartisan divides at play, the 2025 farm bill could be one of the most contentious agriculture debates in recent history.