U.S. Sen. John Boozman said Friday that Congress still has an opportunity to pass a new federal farm bill during the lame-duck session, although agriculture committee leaders are continuing negotiations over a bipartisan agreement.
Boozman, chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, discussed the legislation during an appearance at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He said the four leaders of the agriculture committees in the House and Senate have been meeting to develop a bill that can pass both chambers.
Negotiations continue
Boozman said lawmakers may not resolve every policy disagreement before the measure reaches congressional leadership. He described the unresolved portion as a limited part of the overall legislation and said the remaining disagreements could be addressed as the bill moves through the leadership process.
“There’s 10 percent (of the bill) we probably won’t be able to agree on.”John Boozman
He said Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer would become involved as negotiations advance. Boozman also said he spoke with President Donald Trump about the farm bill in October and believes Trump supports completing the legislation because of its importance to rural America.
The current farm bill has been extended, but Boozman said farmers do not want Congress to approve another one-year extension. He said he also opposes extending the existing law for another year.
- Four agriculture committee leaders are working on a bipartisan proposal.
- Boozman said about 10% of the legislation may remain unresolved during committee negotiations.
- The Senate is scheduled to return to Washington on Nov. 9, after the Nov. 3 election.
Next congressional session
Boozman said lawmakers are expected to face renewed pressure from farmers when Congress returns. He said farmers from both parties are likely to visit Capitol Hill and urge members to vote for a new farm bill rather than approve another temporary extension.
“I think we’ll see a lot of farmers on Capitol Hill in the next week or two, again, talking directly to members of Congress and saying, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats, you need to vote for this thing.”John Boozman
Congress’ return on Nov. 9 would place the farm bill negotiations in the post-election lame-duck period. Boozman said the agriculture committees are working toward legislation that can clear both chambers, while acknowledging that congressional leaders will have a role in resolving remaining differences.
The farm bill is a broad federal law covering agricultural and rural programs. In his Fayetteville remarks, Boozman focused on the need for a new measure and the negotiations underway rather than identifying a final legislative text or a vote date.
