Both the Senate and the House Agriculture Committees are behind schedule in framing the 2023 Farm Bill although a draft may be available before the August recess.  Even after adoption, reconciliation between House and Senate versions will require considerable negotiation especially over work requirements for SNAP recipients. 

The issue of eligibility arose during the debt ceiling negotiations with extremists in both parties digging in on divergent provisions.  Since SNAP represents close to eighty percent of Farm Bill expenditures, the majority in the House is intent on reducing expenditure.  In contrast, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has indicated that the “issue of work requirements is settled and will not be altered.”  The House Agricultural Committee regards modernization of SNAP as an open case and therefore should be considered along with other programs incorporated into the Farm Bill.

Given the polarization in both Chambers it is doubtful whether a Farm Bill will be concluded and enacted this year in the absence of compromise—an elusive concept in the current Congress.