There is saber rattling taking place from both sides of the aisle as the farm bill reaches the stretch run and questions arise as to if it will be completed by the end of the year. Some Republicans want reform for SNAP benefits with new work requirements. Democrats warn that “playing partisan SNAP politics” caused issues for the farm bill in 2014 and 2018, jeopardizing safety net programs for farmers. Despite the back and forth by the two sides, one key Senate Ag Committee Republican is signaling optimism on the farm bill being finished in time.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he is optimistic that the 2023 Farm Bill will be completed before the end of the year.
Grassley says signals from farm bill leadership are giving him a hopeful feeling about the farm bill process.
Senator Grassley made his farm bill comments during his weekly conference call with ag broadcasters and reporters.
Senator Grassley also apologized to another Senator for divulging a private conversation on cattle market pricing reform last week.
Senator Chuck Grassley told reporters last week, fellow Ag Republican and Nebraskan Deb Fischer no longer wanted their joint Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act included in the farm bill. Fischer’s office said she felt the best path to getting the bill enacted is as a “separate legislative effort.”
