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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Sunday, September 01, 2024
Amid the turmoil on Capitol Hill, a top USDA official tells Agri-Pulse that Congress must pass a budget in order for the department to help lawmakers write a new farm bill.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he’s fairly confident that Congress will succeed in either passing an extension to the 2018 farm bill or finish up work on a new one by the end of the year in order to avoid severe repercussions of doing nothing.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise won his colleagues’ nomination to move up to House speaker, but he still has to win over some hardline conservatives loyal to Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, or risk another protracted election on the House floor.
The future of a new farm bill as well as spending on ag and nutrition programs are at stake as Republicans struggle to agree on a new House speaker this week.
Rep. Dan Newhouse, a moderate House Republican and congressional leader on ag and immigration policy, said Friday he wants to hear from the speaker candidates how they plan to move a farm bill as well as appropriations and other legislation.
Farm bill discussions could continue to be contentious with another government funding deadline in November, Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said on the latest episode of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.
The chaos among House Republicans isn’t the only hurdle facing a new farm bill. Senate Republican Whip John Thune, R-S.D., says the Senate Ag Committee remains divided over key issues, including what to do about the major commodity programs.
Although changes to the Food and Drug Administration’s ability to evaluate zootechnical animal feed substances (ZAFS) were not included in the continuing resolution passed over the weekend, supporters are seeking other potential legislative avenues for passage yet this fall including the farm bill or the next CR needed after this 45-day stopgap expires.