All articles tagged with #farm bill
A proposed government funding bill aims to end the government shutdown but includes a provision to ban many hemp-derived THC products, reversing some of the 2018 Farm Bill's legalization efforts, sparking debate among senators and industry stakeholders.
Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing discusses the impact of Trump's tariffs and trade war on soybean farmers, the potential $10 billion aid package, and the effects of the government shutdown on agriculture, emphasizing the need for negotiated trade deals and legislative support to provide stability for farmers.
The Senate is set to hold a critical and unpredictable vote-a-rama on a major bill, with key debates over Medicaid funding, green energy credits, AI law enforcement, and farm aid, amid intra-party disagreements and strategic negotiations that could influence the bill's final passage.
A House committee has approved an amendment to the Farm Bill that would ban most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including delta-8 THC, potentially criminalizing many CBD products. The amendment aims to close a loophole from the 2018 Farm Bill, but faces opposition from some lawmakers and industry stakeholders who argue it could devastate the hemp industry and eliminate jobs. The bill also includes provisions to reduce regulatory barriers for certain hemp farmers and scale back restrictions on those with prior drug felony convictions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson privately acknowledged that Republicans may not succeed in further cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a top priority for hard-right conservatives. This sets up a potential clash with fellow Republicans who are pushing for steep new restrictions and spending cuts across SNAP in the upcoming farm bill reauthorization. Many GOP members facing tough reelection bids have indicated they won't support significant new efforts to pare back SNAP this Congress, which could squeeze Republicans' most vulnerable members. Johnson's admission reflects the political challenges within his own party and the reality of a Democratic-majority Senate that is opposed to new GOP restrictions on food aid.
Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican hardliners are likely to support cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the country's largest anti-hunger program, as part of the upcoming Farm Bill. However, this move could backfire for GOP candidates in rural areas, where a majority of SNAP beneficiaries reside. SNAP is popular among Americans, with 85% supporting increased food aid for struggling families. While fiscal responsibility is important, bipartisan support is necessary for lasting spending cuts. The political landscape, dominated by cultural issues, may overshadow the impact of SNAP cuts on conservative voters in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Over 60 House Republicans are urging Speaker Mike Johnson to pass the Farm Bill before funding runs out, emphasizing its importance for national security and the livelihood of American farmers. However, the push highlights divisions within the party, with the hard-line Freedom Caucus opposing government spending and advocating for steep cuts to aid programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Farm Bill, which includes SNAP, is a contentious issue among Republicans, with some advocating for stricter work requirements and others opposing cuts to SNAP and federal conservation programs. The signatories of the pro-Farm Bill letter argue that the economic benefits of the bill outweigh its cost, but Republican leaders expect significant opposition to the bill.
The USDA forecasts that net farm income in the US will drop nearly 23% in 2023, marking the first decline in five years. The projected income of $141.3 billion is a significant decrease from the record high of $183 billion in 2022. The report also indicates a 4.3% decrease in farm cash receipts and a 6.9% increase in expenses. Government payments are expected to fall by 19%. As Congress prepares to draft a new farm bill, producer groups are focused on protecting crop insurance and advocating for adjustments in commodity programs.
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.
The upcoming reauthorization of the $1 trillion farm bill is shaping up to be a major legislative test for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as GOP hardliners are keen to limit the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other farm safety net programs. Republican lawmakers from agriculture-heavy districts, however, want to pass the bill quickly, and worry that far-right colleagues will delay passage. McCarthy will need to secure bipartisan support to pass the must-pass legislation, but concessions to the hard right could alienate the rest of the caucus. The reauthorization process could drag into 2024, putting additional pressure on the agriculture sector and becoming a political headache for lawmakers in agriculture-heavy districts and states ahead of the 2024 election.
Democrats are trying to catch up with Republicans in the battle over food and nutrition programs, which face new restrictions in the debt deal. House Democrats have launched a task force on agriculture and nutrition to push back against Republicans who have spent months arguing that nutrition programs need stronger work requirements. However, the task force has yet to lay out how it will make up the ground they’ve lost to Republicans. Democrats are looking for another avenue, beyond the House Agriculture Committee, to push back.
The ongoing negotiations between the Biden administration and House Republicans over raising the debt ceiling have stalled Congress' other must-pass agenda items, including spending packages, defense legislation, and the farm bill. Lawmakers are feeling handcuffed by the debt talks, which will potentially dictate funding totals, and are delaying markups for bills until final numbers are available. The delay on the massive defense package has also slowed down talks on a high-profile effort to repeal authorizations for the Iraq War, which has merged with discussions on the annual package.
Republican lawmakers Rep. Randy Feenstra and Rep. Tracey Mann criticized President Biden for ignoring rural America and turning his back against American farmers due to his green energy agenda and regulatory environment. The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation is the latest controversial move having a direct impact on American farmers. The GOP lawmakers claim Biden's emphasis on the green agenda threatens American agriculture and are focused on developing a farm bill that helps farmers. President Biden is set to meet with top agriculture leaders Thursday to discuss priorities for the legislation.
President Joe Biden has invited a small, bipartisan group of lawmakers to the White House to discuss the upcoming farm bill reauthorization, which authorizes U.S. food and agriculture spending for the next decade. The meeting comes amid growing concerns that the debt limit stand-off could derail the traditionally bipartisan farm bill. The group of invitees includes House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) and John Boozman (Ark.), the top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senate Agriculture Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), who is a member of Democratic leadership, and Rep. David Scott (Ga.), the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.
The US government's seed bank program, which offers free seeds to anyone, is not allowed to be used for food cultivation due to an amendment to the 1990 Farm Bill. The program is reserved for corporate development and innovation, leaving home gardeners with limited options for growing vegetables. However, with rising food prices and a need for food diversity, there is a call for hyper-local initiatives in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill to support home gardeners and diversify the food supply.