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Push to get farm bill through in 2018

Top negotiators are pushing to get the farm bill on President Trump’s desk by the end of the year.

House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says now that an agreement is in place, the bill needs to be scored by the CBO.

“We’re trying to put the pressure on to get (the CBO) to do it, maybe this afternoon (or) tomorrow.  We think we know where we’re at with this because we’ve had most of this stuff scored before.”

The Minnesota Democrat, who will become chair of the House Ag Committee in January, is confident there’s enough support to get the conference report signed and that Congress will vote in favor of the farm bill.

He says SNAP work requirements proposed in the House version will not be in the final bill.

“We’re going to do some things in food stamps that add to the integrity of the system.  We’re going to spend a little bit of money actually, making sure that realtors and the states can comply the way they should.  So it will make the system better.”

Peterson predicts a full vote on the farm bill within the next two weeks.  Current House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway says he expects the President to sign the legislation.

*audio courtesy of Minnesota News Network*