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Farm bill future may hinge on November elections, Grassley says

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says the path forward for the farm bill could become more complicated after November’s midterm elections.

During a media call on Wednesday, the Iowa Republican discussed how a possible shift in congressional control could affect the farm bill’s future.

“If it’s just the House that (the Democrats) carry, I think we still got a chance of getting the five-year farm bill,” Grassley said. “If they carry both houses, I think they would want to write a different farm bill next year.”

Grassley says addressing Proposition 12 will continue to be near the top of his to-do list regardless of who controls Congress next year.

“We’ve got to pass a Proposition 12 (fix) and override California,” Grassley said. “We can’t have California setting the pattern for the other 49 states.”

Proposition 12 requires gestating sows to be kept in no less than 24-square feet of area for the pork to be sold within the state.  

Grassley says he’s disappointed that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program continues to be the biggest hangup.

“I believe it’s kind of ridiculous what the Democrats want to do on SNAP after we already compromised halfway with them,” Grassley said.

Kansas farmer Paul Penner says he’s extremely frustrated that lawmakers can’t reach an agreement because producers need the resources that the legislation would provide.

“We need to be mindful of our members of Congress that have priorities,” Penner said. “With nutrition, it’s an important component. It always has been.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee passed its farm bill out of committee earlier this month, but the full Senate is not expected to vote until after the November elections. Grassley says Senate and House Ag Committee leadership are expected to hold informal negotiations during the recess.