Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) Floor Remarks as prepared: Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. It is fitting that the House considers the Farm Bill because 28 years ago, another proud Texan — President George H.W. Bush — signed the 1990 Farm Bill into law. And, …
Conaway Determined to Complete Farm Bill
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 …
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 …
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 …
Frustrated with Farm Bill Process
September 30th has come and gone, and no new farm bill. House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Mike Conaway, notes the frustration that he and his colleagues have in being unable to get the bill done on time. Frustrated with Farm Bill Process But Conaway did note his commitment to completing a farm bill before the end of the year. Sponsored ContentCIR …
Roberts Offers Hope for Temporary Farm Bill Program Funding
Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts says he’s working on getting the U.S. Ag Department to extend a “lifeline” to programs that will lack funding if a farm bill doesn’t pass by the Sunday deadline. The current farm bill runs out over the weekend and funding for a lot of smaller initiatives will be in limbo. Politico says there are …
Deadline Weekend Likely to Pass with Little Farm Bill, NAFTA Progress
The farm bill and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) seem certain not to meet the weekend deadline, leaving more uncertain times for agriculture. Negotiators were trying to reach an agreement on the farm bill this week, but the clock is all but out of time as the current bill expires Sunday. Monday means critical trade programs will not …
Roberts Asks Conaway, Peterson, to Remain in Washington
Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts is also chair of the House-Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Hagstrom Report says Roberts feels Congress is running out of time to finish the farm bill conference report before the current bill expires on September 30th. He’s asking House Ag Chair Michael Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson to remain in Washington, in …