Congress Grapples with Hunger Programs and Farm Bill Floor Catastrophe

Senior House Republicans are engaging in outreach sessions with far-right members of their caucus in an effort to avoid a last-minute catastrophe on the House floor regarding the farm bill. House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson has been advocating for a bipartisan approach to the bill and addressing concerns about its price tag, which is expected to exceed $1 trillion. However, there are warning signs as some factions within the House GOP are demanding cuts to farm programs and new work requirements for food aid recipients, which are non-starters for most Democrats and the Democrat-controlled Senate. The bill's passage is crucial for Republicans running for reelection in agriculture-dependent regions, but there is concern that far-right members may attempt to derail the legislation.