Agriculture and Forestry

GOP House Farm Bill Passes out of Committee – Heads to House Floor

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April 20, 2018

On April 18, the House Agriculture Committee passed the House Farm Bill (H.R. 2) out of committee along party lines, in a 26 to 20 vote. During the five-hour plus markup, Democrats railed against the bill’s stricter work requirements for SNAP (previously known as food stamps), which make up 80 percent of the bill overall.

Additionally, a handful of Democrats drew attention to the elimination of the Energy Title in the Bill, as well as the minority’s issues with changes to the Conservation title and other areas. Ranking member Peterson (D-MN) stated, “Even if we could miraculously fix the nutrition title, members still have other issues with the bill.” So as not to promote the potential success of a partisan bill, Democrats offered no amendments. Republicans attached 18 amendments to the legislation en bloc. 

The attitude displayed within the majority was largely -- get it done, and quickly. With net farm income down a staggering 50 percent in just six years, it’s understandable. But Democrats warned that the bill needed to be right, in addition to fast. Farm groups’ reaction to the bill was mixed, with groups like the National Corn Growers and Farm Bureau praising the bill, while smaller groups like the National Farmers Union, National Young Farmers Coalition and Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance expressed reservations over numerous programmatic changes as well as funding levels.  Farmers Union has been the most outspoken on the bill’s funding levels, with President Roger Johnson stating, “This bill is wholly inadequate for providing family farmers with the resources they need to endure the worst decline in the farm economy in decades.”

Accepted Republican amendments range from requirements for rural broadband projects, tweaks to conservation programs, prioritizing algae agriculture and gene edited crop research, as well as changes to the process in which items are added to the national list of approved and prohibited substances for organic farming.

Chairman Conaway (R-TX) remained stoic during the markup but commented that despite a breakdown in discussions with Democrats largely over SNAP, he remained hopeful that bipartisan support for the bill could improve on the House floor, recalling the 2008 Farm Bill.  “When House Democrats pushed a partisan farm bill that raised taxes in 2008 over Republican objections, Republicans worked alongside Democrats to fend off hostile amendments aimed against the legislation on the House floor and worked in conference committee to achieve a bipartisan farm bill.”  

The bill now heads to the House floor, where it faces stiff opposition from Democrats and potentially the Freedom Caucus – for very different reasons.  It remains to be seen whether or not Chairman Conaway and House leadership have enough votes to pass a GOP-only bill. All eyes now turn to the Senate, where Senate Agriculture Chairman Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Stabenow (D-MI) state they remain committed to crafting a bipartisan bill.  Farm Bill watchers are now anticipating a May markup.  

 

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