Time to finish the farm bill before the September 30th deadline is running out. House and Senate ag leaders are working to quickly iron out differences between the two versions of the bill, but many believed the conference committee needed to wrap up this week to get a bill on-time. The Senate adjourned Wednesday night until Monday, and the House is scheduled to be out for recess all of next week.
Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts told Politico talks could continue next week if Mike Conaway and Collin Peterson of the House Agriculture Committee return to Washington. Roberts says: “next week might be the final time that we have to reach some kind of agreement,” but added “the world doesn’t end” if no agreement is made next week.
The biggest difference is the House version’s inclusion of work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The work requirements are facing steep opposition from the other three committee leaders, Roberts, and top Senate ag Democrat Debbie Stabenow, along with Peterson of the House.
President Trump attacked Stabenow via Twitter, saying her and other Democrats are “Against approving the farm bill.” However, Stabenow and Roberts have said work requirements will not pass the Senate.
Source: National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.