We have heard different opinions from different lawmakers over the probability of a Farm Bill still being done this year. As I talked with Senator Joni Ernst yesterday, she was all but certain that there is no way it gets done.
The Farm Bill has traditionally been one of the most bipartisan pieces of legislation in Congress. However, as the divide between food programs and agricultural appropriations becomes wider, we are seeing it become more and more a political weapon. Not necessarily by the members of the Ag Committees in their respective chambers, but more by Congressional leadership in both chambers.
Senator Ernst talks about why she is certain that a Farm Bill won’t happen this year.
If there is a silver lining in all of this, it is the fact that even though there is a partisan battle heating up around the Farm Bill, there is still enough common sense that an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill can be done before the end of the year, because not doing that would be disastrous.
