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Senator optimistic bill will be done on time, despite differences

Ohio senator and farm bill conferee Sherrod Brown says he’s optimistic that the Farm Bill will get done on time despite the differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill.

“I’m still optimistic that they will come around mostly to the senate version of bipartisanship,” he says. “We of course are willing to make some changes.”

He says the conservation title and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program remain sticking points.

“I havne’t heard from a single farmer who thinks that we should cut conservation funding, yet the house in its bill cut a billion dollars from conservation programs,” he says.

Senate ag committee leaders have said that a compromise proposed by House Ag Chair Mike Conaway isn’t enough.

Brown spoke to reporters after the farm bill conference committee’s first public meeting.