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Congressional budget could cause delay in passing farm bill

Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood says negotiations over how to fund the US government could disrupt passing the next farm bill on time.

“I’m hopeful that we can get there.  I think there is a bigger fight looming in the appropriations committee as it relates to the ag approps bill, but all of that will tie together.  Then, we’ll have some folks who see the farm bill as a vehicle for other projects and priorities.  We’ll see what happens.

He tells Brownfield the House will have to negotiate 12 appropriations bills before passing a budget, and one includes funding the USDA and Food and Drug Administration. “If that doesn’t happen, I would say that the farm bill will get kicked down the road as we sort through this.

Flood says he’s not optimistic that the next bill will be completed by September 31, and a major point of contention is the ag appropriations bill. “Things fell apart there before we adjourned for our August recess.  I know Speaker McCarthy is working with a lot of folks who have concerns on the Republican side and the committee chairwoman. I’m hopeful that their work throughout August will bring us back with a plan forward.”  

And, he says, another issue is funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “Without that, we don’t have a farm bill.”

Flood says some Republicans would like to see long-term changes to SNAP, but his priorities include preserving crop insurance and the conservation title.

Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood: