The 2023 Farm Bill has been discussed quite a few times in the respective chambers of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. There have been hearings on climate change, subsidies, and nutrition. This is the biggest food policy document in the government, and right now the Democrats are calling the shots.
But what happens if the balance of power were to turn in the mid-term elections this November?
Many political analysts are sizing up voters’ sentiments and their support for Congressional leadership and support for President Biden?s policies on all levels. These experts say that they would not be at all surprised to see a power shift on the Hill, especially in the Senate where margins are razor-thin. Also, the House leadership isn?t set in stone as Republicans have been chipping away at the Democratic majority.
This could set up an interesting shift in January when the Farm Bill will only have a few months to be figured out. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says that a power shift could mean that part of the bipartisan writing process could be affected.
What does this mean for the public outside of Ag? Grassley says he would expect to see changes in the nutrition titles, bringing back the work requirement at a time when companies are looking for help at a furious pace.
Whoever is in power in January will need to assess how the markets are moving and how the provisions of 2018 fit into the economics of 2023.
