With Congress returning after its summer break, many in agriculture will be watching the efforts to get the 2018 farm bill put together before the current bill expires at the end of the month. Efforts Underway to Complete a New Farm Bill
Farm Bill Conference Committee to Meet Wednesday
Farm Bill conferees selected from the House and Senate will meet for the first time Wednesday, September 5, in hopes of reaching common ground on the 2018 legislation and ironing out the differences between their respective versions of the legislation. Top lawmakers on the committee did meet last week, ahead of the first formal meeting. Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat …
ASTA Outlines Priorities for Final Farm Bill
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) urges members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee to include several key provisions important to the seed industry within the final bill. In a recent letter to conferees, ASTA highlighted the following priorities within the Conservation, Trade, Research, Horticulture and Crop Insurance titles: Conservation: ASTA is concerned with the proposal in the House version …
Farm Bill Differences Remain
Lawmakers met this week on the farm bill, making “good progress.” However, major differences remain between the House and Senate bills that the conference committee will address next week. Congress returns next week with 16 days in-session scheduled for the Senate in September, and 11 in-session days in the House of Representatives. That means differences in the farm bill must …
Texas Rep. Says Farm Bill Must Meet Objectives
A U.S. Representative from West-Texas says the farm bill must ensure a strong, viable ag sector. Republican Jodey Arrington, a member of the farm bill conference committee, penned an editorial this week. The congressman says the mission of the committee is clear: “to establish policies that support a vibrant agriculture economy, strengthen rural communities, maintain food security in America and …
Companies Targeted by Senator Sanders Fire Back
Companies targeted by Senator Bernie Sanders are firing back, calling his statements inaccurate in his accusations over food stamps. Sanders plans to introduce legislation that would require large companies, specifically, Amazon, Walmart, and others, to pay a 100 percent tax on government benefits to their employees, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a significant portion of the farm bill. Amazon …
Top Ag Lawmakers Meet Ahead of Farm Bill Conference
The top lawmakers on the farm bill conference committee met this week, ahead of the first formal meeting next week. The farm bill conference is set to meet September 5th, in the first public meeting likely dominated by posturing and speeches. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts told Politico that he, Senate Agriculture ranking member Debbie Stabenow, House Agriculture Committee …
Environmental Groups Seek Clean Water Language in Farm Bill
Environmental groups want clean water regulations in the farm bill. A coalition of environmental groups penned a letter to the farm bill conference committee with suggestions the coalition claims will “help address the challenges facing the nation’s drinking water supplies.” There have already been several victims of water contamination in the country that professionals who offer camp lejeune water contamination …
Farm Bill Conference Meeting Date Set
The farm bill conference committee will meet September 5th, according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts. Roberts will chair the farm bill conference. The conference is set for one day after lawmakers return from the Labor Day Recess. Roberts also says committee staff members have made progress on the differences in the two bills on conservation, but not on …
Agri View: 2018 Farm Bill Near Completion?
A Farm Bill vote may be soon. When will it be near completion? Everett Griner talks about this and the length of time it normally takes for our politicians to complete a Farm Bill in today’s Agri View. 2018 Farm Bill Near Completion? The new farm bill is getting pretty close to a vote on Capitol Hill now. Farmers have …