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Grassley reviewing Chairman Thompson’s farm bill text

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says so far, he likes what he sees in House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s farm bill text.

“I’m reviewing that,” he said during a weekly press call with farm reporters Tuesday. “I’m not through it yet, but I can tell you about one of my priorities that was included. The executive branch would need to get congressional approval before tapping into the Commodity Credit Corporation.”

Grassley says his USDA Spending Accountability Act would help “return the power of the purse” to Congress. The Iowa Republican says the farm bill should prevent the CCC from being a “slush fund.”

“President Biden has used it to fund climate projects and specialty trade programs, although neither of these examples went through the legislative process.”

Grassley says the CCC reform isn’t currently included in the Senate’s farm bill framework released by Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow.

AUDIO: U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley weekly ag press call 5-21-2024