Ag Policy Blog
Farm Bill Looking Less Likely
The people debating whether to push work requirements for able-bodied food stamp recipients are having trouble getting their work done before the end of the year.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters in Washington the House is ready to give farm-bill negotiators may require another short-term extension into January. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., indicated on AgriTalk earlier in the week that negotiations may have to carry into January.
USDA and the White House communications staff issued a statement late Thursday afternoon from USDA Communications Director Matt Paul.
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"Negotiations on Capitol Hill about the Farm Bill should continue until House and Senate leaders reach agreement on a comprehensive bill. Numerous members of both sides have indicated progress, and the country deserves continued work on this critical legislation."
Push for Payment Caps
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, continued to make his case for a tighter payment cap and more specific requirements for being considered as actively engaged in farming. Grassley makes the case in an editorial published in POLITICO.
"Years ago, when Congress joined farm and nutrition policy into one piece of legislation, it meant that the legislative leaders in agriculture would be, almost by default, leaders in nutrition policy. People might thus believe there should be some parallels between the structures of the two programs, as both in theory provide a limited amount of support in times of need," he wrote.
"However, in this farm bill conference, it seems some members want to reduce food stamps while reopening loopholes for multi-million-dollar farming entities. There’s bipartisan agreement that the food-stamp program needs reform, but how can we save money in one program and at the same time turn a blind eye to the loopholes that millionaires exploit?"
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