Legislative Activity Farm Bill Conference Progress Last week, farm bill conferees left for the Thanksgiving break without releasing a draft agreement. Despite the break, it seems as if conversations among conferees will continue. Today, Senate and House agriculture leaders, both chairmen and ranking members, will likely discuss the farm bill via conference call, and conversations … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Farm Bill Conference Progress This past week, progress on the farm bill seemed to stall. Conferees are no longer close to finding a compromise on the issue of tying crop price guarantees to planted or base acres, and dairy provisions remain on the negotiation table. Earlier this month, the chairwoman had commented that … Continue Reading
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY Farm Bill Conferees On Saturday, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) named farm bill conferees. The Republicans appointed 17 members, including 12 Agriculture Committee members, two Foreign Affairs Committee members, two Ways and Means Committee members, and one member to represent the Republican leadership. Republican conferees … Continue Reading
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY FARM BILL On Saturday, September 28, in its fast-track rule to consider the continuing resolution, the House approved (by a vote of 226-191) a rule to merge its “agriculture-only” bill and the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of 2013 (H.R. 3102), which would cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food … Continue Reading
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY FARM BILL This week, the House will consider the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act, most likely under a closed rule, after aggressively whipping votes in support of the bill last week. There are fairly serious concerns about getting the majority 218 votes needed, as some Republicans find the proposed $40 billion in … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Farm Bill Last week, the Nutrition Working Group convened to discuss the House’s nutrition title bill that would look to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). Based on signals from members of the Working Group, it appears that a bill will not be brought to the floor … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Farm Bill Timeline The Senate will resume consideration of the Farm Bill (S. 954) today, Monday, June 3. Two roll call votes are scheduled at 5:30 pm: S.A. 987 (alfalfa crop insurance program) and S.A. 1079 (food aid). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Agriculture Committee … Continue Reading
