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Minnesota farm leader doubts easy passage for new farm bill

The leader of an ag organization expects an uphill battle to pass a new farm bill despite progress in the U.S. House.

Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish says while he’s pleased the House Ag Committee advanced a bill.

“It’s still going to be a challenge. When the House passed their big budget bill last July, it really broke apart the (farm bill) coalition. So yes, it passed out of the House Ag Committee but it’s still going to be hard to get that passed on a full floor.”

He tells Brownfield many titles in the farm bill need to be updated.

“That’s a concern that it will still have, it will still be a challenge getting it to a Floor vote and getting it approved at a full Floor vote on the House. And primarily in the Senate too, it will be the same issue there.”

The House Agriculture Committee advanced the Republican-led farm bill in a 34-17 vote Thursday morning.