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Farm bill vote hits a snag as tensions rise in Congress

Progress on the Farm Bill 2.0 hit a snag on Wednesday and its advancement has been stalled. 

Joe Newland, president of the Kansas Farm Bureau says he’s not surprised.   “It’s been punted so many times,” he says.  “It’s disappointing that we can’t just get a vote on it.”

The House Rules Committee approved 57 amendments for debate.  Newland tells Brownfield, “It’s hard to get all of those taken care of in a two-to-three-day time frame.”

One of the major sticking points has been the addition of a proposal that would allow year-round sales of E15 fuel onto the farm bill.

Newland says E15 could help address rising fuel prices and is desperately needed. “Canada has it,” he says.  “There’s no reason that we can’t have it in the United States.  It’s good for the farmer and it’s good for the American farmer to have that.”

Late Wednesday evening Majority Whip Tom Emmer announced there would be no additional votes in the House. 

A full, five-year farm bill hasn’t been passed since 2018.

AUDIO: Kellan Heavican interview with Joe Newland