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Political analyst: election outcome could impact farm bill

A political analyst says the outcome of the November election could determine the timing of the next farm bill.

David Wasserman with the Cook Political Report tells Brownfield “If Republicans maintain control of Congress, which I don’t think is likely to happen at this juncture, then it’s even likelier something gets passed in a lame duck session of Congress, considering there are a lot of departing members who want to add to their legacy before leaving office.”

However, he says the House Freedom Caucus could still hold up progress, due to trade provisions or nationwide, year-round E15. If Democrats take control of one or both chambers of Congress in the election, Wasserman says…

“They’re not going to be in a mood to cut a deal,” says Wasserman. “We’ve seen this with Senate Democrats now who have not really engaged in the negotiations to the extent that Republicans want. And instead, Democrats would be waiting until January when they have more members and more power.”

The U.S. Senate Ag Committee failed to advance a farm bill out of committee heading into the August recess, but is expected to consider the bill again when senators return to Washington D.C. in mid-September.

Watch more on the upcoming elections in the lastest Inside D.C.