Congress Eyes One-Year Farm Bill Extension with Disaster Relief

As Congress enters the post-election, lame duck session, it is becoming increasingly clear that a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is likely. Lawmakers, including members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, are reportedly working toward a temporary extension of the expired law, potentially combined with a disaster aid package to close out the year.

House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) has expressed support for a one-year extension, which would allow a new five-year Farm Bill to be passed in the next Congress, assuming Republican control of the House, Senate, and White House. Meanwhile, Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) recently released her long-awaited Farm Bill proposal, which has met with skepticism from some Republicans. Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) criticized the timing of the release, noting the lengthy delay in addressing the expired bill.

While some experts remain doubtful that a comprehensive Farm Bill will pass during the lame duck session, Mary Kay Thatcher of Syngenta suggested that the upcoming shift in Congressional control might prompt Republicans to push for a more favorable bill next year. However, there is widespread agreement that disaster aid, particularly for farmers and ranchers, is a key priority. A proposed $100 billion disaster aid package, which includes $21 billion for agriculture, may be wrapped into the year-end extension of the Farm Bill.

Lawmakers like Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) have urged that any extension not just serve as a stopgap measure but also address urgent agricultural needs, particularly in the wake of recent natural disasters.

Source: AmericanAgNetwork.com