Farm Bill Unlikely by Deadline

Barring a dramatic breakthrough, farm-state lawmakers will miss their target of enacting the 2018 farm bill in the next six days, according to two of the Senate and House negotiators charged with finding a compromise.

SNAP, specifically House Republicans’ demands for stricter work requirements for food-stamp recipients, is the major obstacle for the conferees, but there are differences across all sections of the $87-billion-a-year legislation.

There would be little immediate impact if the 2014 farm law expires Sunday, as scheduled, without a successor in place. Lawmakers have passed short-term extensions, sometimes repeatedly, in the past while completing negotiations, or simply allowed a lapse of a few days.

Lawmakers have said a compromise bill might be passed in October, and they may opt for a one-year extension.

Source: Successful Farming