The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold its first 2023 farm bill hearing later this month in Michigan, Chair Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member John Boozman announced Wednesday.
The highly anticipated hearing entitled “Growing Jobs and Economic Opportunity: 2023 Farm Bill Perspectives,” will be held on April 29 at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Stabenow and Boozman will hear from Michigan farmers and ag stakeholders during the hearing and question a soon-to-be-released list of witnesses.
The current farm bill, passed in 2018, will expire at the end of 2023. The House is already well underway with hearings, having had near-weekly gatherings for the past two months. That committee, however, has not yet held a field hearing.
Stabenow, D-Mich., said in a statement she’s prioritizing bipartisanship in the next farm bill.
“Our most recent Farm Bill passed with the strongest bipartisan support ever. Senator Boozman and I intend to continue that strong bipartisan tradition.” Stabenow said. “I am pleased to welcome him to Michigan to join me in hearing from farmers and others impacted by the Farm Bill about how we can strengthen this important legislation, grow our economy, and build a stronger food supply chain.”
The 2018 farm bill sailed through both chambers, passing the Senate 87-13 and clearing the House 369-47.
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Still, Boozman, R-Ark., said writing a viable farm bill is a “delicate balance,” and said Stabenow will join him for a second field hearing in Arkansas.
“The needs of each region and each commodity must be balanced, which is why it is crucial that we hear directly from agricultural stakeholders from across the country,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to joining Chairwoman Stabenow in Michigan to get this process underway, and to building off that with a field hearing in Arkansas in the coming months.”
According to the committee statement, the hearing will focus on “agriculture, as well as conservation, rural economic development, research, forestry, energy, and nutrition policies.”
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