Senate Ag Chair John Boozman knew going in that he didn’t have the votes to get their version of the Farm Bill passed out of committee a couple weeks ago, but now he’s telling Democrats he soon will.
“I spoke with Senator McConnell…I know how much he would have wanted to be here to advocate for Kentucky’s farmers and rural communities. We wish him a full and speedy recovery, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the committee soon.”
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is home from rehab after a fall in June left him hospitalized. His progress could return him to the Senate next month. McConnell voted by proxy on farm bill amendments but under Senate rules couldn’t cast the winning final committee vote.
Negotiations largely stalled over nutrition spending and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provisions, particularly disagreements regarding timelines for state cost-sharing requirements. Boozman offered a one-year delay, but Democrats want two years.
“I want to be clear; a two-year delay does not have the support of a majority in Congress or of the White House. The offer before you is the best, and it’s the final offer.”
Boozman added the Democrats’ rejection of the offer and the committee farm bill meant last year’s SNAP changes will take effect.
“Current law will remain in effect and states who poorly administer SNAP programs will begin to pay for the portion of the benefit cost next year.”
It’s the third year without a new farm bill as farm losses and bankruptcies mount.
And for Boozman, it seems his patience is running thin.
“We’ve worked very hard to provide a one-year extension. In return, we’ve gotten ‘it’s two years or nothing.’”
The Senate returns to work in D.C. on September 14, meaning a renewed committee vote could happen as early as September 15. That leaves a very narrow window for committee action and floor negotiations before the Farm Bill extension expires on September 30.
Source: NAFB News Service
