Farm Bill Stalled: Decision Pushed Beyond Election Day
Sweeping legislation that would set food and farm policy for the next five years is in limbo, waiting for lawmakers to decide its fate after the election.
The latest deadline for the farm bill passed unceremoniously at midnight on Sept. 30, without a push from lawmakers to pass a new farm bill or an extension.
Congress will have to scramble in the lame-duck session set to begin Nov. 12 to come up with some agreement on the farm bill before benefits run out at the end of the year 鈥 which if allowed to happen eventually would have major consequences.
鈥淔amily farmers and ranchers can鈥檛 wait 鈥 they need the certainty of a new farm bill this year,鈥 National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said in a statement after the meetings. 鈥淲ith net farm income projected at historic lows, growing concentration in the agriculture sector, high input costs and interest rates, and more frequent and devastating natural disasters, Congress can鈥檛 miss this opportunity to pass a five-year farm bill.鈥
The law began 90 years ago with various payments to support farmers, but now has an impact far beyond the farm, with programs to create wildlife habitat, address climate change, and provide the nation鈥檚 largest federal nutrition program.
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