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Senate farm bill heads to floor as lawmakers debate SNAP, Prop 12

The Senate Ag Committee advanced a farm bill out of the committee on a party line vote Wednesday, but not without an attempt from lawmakers to amend the bill.

Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa tried to add Prop 12 language, but the attempt was denied by Chairman John Boozman from Arkansas, who said the time to make amendments in committee has passed.

“Iowa’s livestock producers deserve more than expressions of support. They deserve action. They deserve an honest debate, which I was denied today,” she says.

Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa says he would have liked to add an amendment regarding the Packers and Stockyards Act.

There continues to be opposition in committee to the nutrition part of the farm bill. Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota says a one-year delay in state cost sharing still isn’t enough, and that needs to be resolved as the bill moves forward. 

“If we don’t at least change the numbers or where it hits for the error rate for the second year, we’re going to have this unfair situation. We are in good faith, and I appreciate the chairman trying to fix that second year.”

Klobuchar also noted concerns about a decision to take money away from conservation programs.

Senator John Hoeven from North Dakota says there’s time for debate on the Senate floor, because time is running out to pass a farm bill.

“Farmers are facing very low commodity prices, high input costs. They need our help. They need this farm bill,” says Hoeven.

The full U.S. Senate is now expected to consider the bill, but it’s unclear when that might happen. The chamber is scheduled to remain in session into early October. The House adjourned this week, earlier than expected.