The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Policy Division Chair Gene Copenhaver recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss the farm bill. Copenhaver says Johnson was hopeful on the prospects for a new farm bill after the old bill expired last September and was extended one year.
House Ag Chair GT Thompson has stated that he may try to start committee farm bill action in March, despite lawmakers potentially still working on spending bills under a proposed new timeline. Copenhaver tells the NCBA’s Beltway Beef podcast that he also had some farm bill messages for Speaker Johnson.
NCBA and other farm groups have had several disagreements with Ag Secretary Vilsack on market regulation, biofuel, and SNAP issues, while other farm bill topics could see more agreement between the two parties.
Funding remains the key dispute as farm and food interests fight over how to divide up a fixed farm bill budget, short of new funding sources.
