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Boozman talks next phase for reconciliation

The chairman of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee says he likes the ag-provisions included in the House-passed reconciliation package.

John Boozman says important tax policy is included, along with much-needed improvements to the farm safety net.

“Crop insurance, the Ag Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, those kinds of things. Those kinds of things that allow the farmer to go to the banker and note there’s actually a mechanism that provides insurance so they can get the funding to move forward.”

Boozman says there will be discussions in the Senate about nutrition cost-sharing between the federal government and states, because of the federal cost savings it provides.

“That’s the balance we’re trying to figure out, what’s appropriate? And the Senate hasn’t decided that yet so they’re working hard to decide whether they want to go down that path or do things differently.”

Boozman says the ag committee is still deciding how to move forward together. Committee differences are unclear, but Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar has previously expressed concern about reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“The things we’ll do in reconciliation with agriculture recieve a lot of votes. They’re not necessarily partisan. It’s the manner that they’re being done that’s partisan.”

Boozman says if nutrition and farm safety net improvements can be addressed in the reconciliation process, the committee can come back later to update the orphan farm bill programs in a bipartisan way.

Boozman says the reconciliation process takes time, but he’s optimistic the U.S. Senate can pass the bill before the August recess.

Hear the interview.