Representative David Scott (D-GA) has criticized Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) for dismissing the House before scheduled August recess. House Agriculture Committee Glenn Thompson had intended to mark up the Farm Bill due to have been enacted in 2023 and currently subjected to an extension terminating the end of September. Rep. Thompson indicated that it would have been necessary to have passed the agriculture appropriations before considering the Farm Bill.
The reality is that there are insufficient votes in the House for passage of the Bill that was passed by the committee on a party line vote. Left leaning members of the House are opposed to cuts in SNAP benefits and eligibility. In contrast, right-leaning members favor increased price support although they are collectively opposed to increasing the national debt. The situation is complicated by the polarization of the House and Senate especially in an election year. Unfortunately, observers do not see a more favorable reception of the Farm Bill in the 119th Congress since the contentious issues of SNAP and farm support will still be present in 2025.
A broad coalition of agricultural organizations is urging Congress to resolve differences and “Craft a Farm Bill that can pass into law in 2024”. It appears that leaders of both the House and Senate are unable to exercise the leadership required to allow for a strong measure of mutual concession on contentious issues and to display bipartisanship that facilitated passage of previous farm bills over the past five decades.
Zippy Duval, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation stated, “when more than 500 groups, many of which typically have competing agendas, come together and speak with one voice, it clearly demonstrates the urgency and importance of passing a new farm bill”.
Representative Thompson indicated that he was willing to negotiate and is receptive to serious proposals to facilitate passage. Representative Scott is concerned that if a succeeding Administration imposes punitive tariffs on trading partners who are also importers of U.S. agricultural commodities and products, could exacerbate the plight of farmers facing challenges of climate extremes, input costs and emerging overproduction. Scott noted, “farmers bore the brunt of the trade war last time and they would be hit hard again if a new Administration pursues an economic agenda undermining the stability of commodity prices”.