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House Ag Committee split on farm bill timeline as optimism meets skepticism

There are mixed opinions among House Agriculture Committee members on a farm bill timeline.

Iowa Republican Randy Feenstra tells Brownfield Chair GT Thompson remains optimistic.

“We met last week and talked about how important it is to finish up this farm bill, we’ve got to get it done. We are hoping, we are hoping that we can get it done here and get it out of the Ag Committee in the next six weeks.”

Ranking Member Angie Craig, a Democrat from Minnesota, referred to Chairman Thompson as the “ultimate optimist” during a news conference Thursday.

“He’s indicating a markup the last week of February I believe, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the optimist timeline moves again either.”

Craig says the recent death of House Ag Committee member Doug LaMalfa of California will likely slow negotiations, and she is warning Republican members not to include “poison pills” like preemption for pesticides that would force Democrats to vote against the farm bill.

Randy Feenstra interview: