House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway remains determined to finish the farm bill this year. During an event in Omaha, Nebraska, Conaway told DTN “there’s plenty of motivation for the four of us to get this farm bill done,” referring to the four leaders of the farm bill conference committee. Conaway says farm bill negotiators are still working through issues …
Farm Bill Being Stalled Further Possible
Progress on the farm bill following the November midterm elections could be stalled even further, depending on the need for disaster relief stemming from Hurricane Michael. House Agriculture Committee ranking Democrat Collin Peterson this week speculated congress members from states impacted by the hurricane will pressure lawmakers to “either add something to the farm bill or appropriations,” according to Politico. …
Panel Calls for Congress to Pass Senate Version of the Farm Bill
A panel formed by Food Policy Action says Congress should pass the Senate version of the farm bill. The organization took aim at the House version of the farm bill that includes work requirements for food stamp recipients. During an event this week, Food Policy Action executive director Monica Mills said, “we want to see a farm bill that is …
Environmental Groups: No Farm Bill Better Than Bad Bill
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and a group of left-leaning environmental groups will hold a press conference Monday to tell Congress “No farm bill is better than a bad farm bill.” The Hagstrom Report says the announcement means the lobbying coalition on the farm bill is officially split on the importance of passing a farm bill this year. …
8th Annual Legislative Livestock Showdown Results in House Win
The 8th Annual Legislative Livestock Showdown took place at the New South Arena in Perry, Georgia, as part of the Georgia National Fair. The highly competitive livestock showmanship event, co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia National fair, resulted in a fourth consecutive win for the Georgia House of Representatives. “This is a unique opportunity for our …
Roberts: We’re Making Progress on Farm Bill
Senator Pat Roberts says lawmakers are making progress on the farm bill. The Senate Ag Committee Chairman told Politico this week “we’re making progress,” adding “I know I keep saying that, but it’s true.” None of the 12 titles of the farm bill are completed, but Roberts says the commodity title is “close” to being finished. However, Ranking Senate Ag …
Stabenow: Commodity Title a Political Issue in Farm Bill Talks
Farm bill conference committee leaders are at orders over the commodity title. Senator Debbie Stabenow claims House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway has politicized the farm bill with a provision that would take “tens of millions” of dollars from Midwestern farmers for cotton growers in the South, according to the Hagstrom Report. The 2014 farm bill expired last month, and …
Ag Committee Members Advancing Farm Bill Talks
The “big four” farm bill leaders met Thursday in an effort to advance negotiations of the conference committee. Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow, along with Representatives Mike Conaway and Collin Peterson, met Thursday in Washington to advance the farm bill talks, even though the House of Representatives is on recess until after the midterm elections. It’s the first face-to-face …
Congress Could Press for NAFTA Vote This Year
Republicans could push for a swift vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement if Congressional power swings to Democrats in the November elections. Some Republicans in the Senate are pushing to approve the new trade deal this year, if the party loses majority in the House. The USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, and if one of the chambers …
Agriculture Awaits New Farm Bill as 2014 Bill Expires
While Monday was a good day for trade, it also marked the first day without a farm bill. Lawmakers failed to gain a consensus in the farm bill conference committee before the Sept. 30 deadline, as the previous farm bill expired. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway says he is willing to stay in negotiations this month, even though the …