Arkansans take lead roles on developing new farm bill
The 119th Congress -- with the Senate and House of Representatives both controlled by Republicans -- have until Sept. 30 to approve a new farm bill authorizing nutrition, agriculture and rural development programs two years after the initial deadline to replace the 2018 farm bill.
The 118th Congress failed to pass a new farm bill as a result of partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill. Senate Democrats and House Republicans -- who controlled their respective chambers over the previous two years -- put forward different farm bill packages and could not reach common ground.
Two Arkansas Republicans are positioned to administer influence on the next farm bill. Sen. John Boozman begins this Congress as chair of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and Rep. Rick Crawford will continue serving on the House Agriculture Committee.
"I think all of us working together, we can overcome some of the hurdles that we've had in the past (and) provide relief for our farmers," said Boozman of Rogers. "If not, we're going to lose a lot of farmers. It's simply that dire."
The farm bill is a multiyear legislative package authorizing various programs including commodity crop support, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and conservation stewardship efforts.
The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service projects the 10-year baseline for the next farm bill will eclipse $1.3 trillion. Spending with the nutrition title makes up 80.6% of this estimated amount.
Congress last approved a farm bill in December 2018 with plans to approve new legislative text before the end of September 2023. Federal lawmakers, however, struggled to reach a compromise amid differences on the package's provisions.
Source: Arkansas Democrat - Gazette
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