House Ag Committee Farm Bill Mark-Up Announced

Reports from Washington, D.C. say Committee Chair Frank Lucas plans to start marking up a new five-year farm bill on May 15. He met with Majority Leader Eric Cantor recently and discussed timing for the measure. Cantor asked Lucas to consider taking more time, but the chairman plans to proceed as originally planned.

“They suggested I take a little more time,” Lucas said of a meeting with Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and his top staff. “I said I wanted to go May 15 but would be happy to hold the listening sessions to hear what my colleagues think.”

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair-woman Debbie Stabenow had expressed hope her panel would mark up a bill in April, though just one legislative week remains in the month.

The current one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30.