Almost as soon as Congress reconvenes after the Labor Day weekend, the nearly six dozen farm bill negotiators will hold their first public meeting, on Sept. 5, announced the leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture committees. “We are committed to working together on a farm bill that delivers certainty and predictability to our farmers and families as quickly as possible,” they said in a joint statement.
The salient issue is the House proposal, supported only by majority-party Republicans in a roll call, to require an estimated 7 million “work-capable” adults to work at least 20 hours a week or spend equivalent time in job training or workfare to qualify for food stamps. The Senate rejected a similar proposal on a 2-to-1 vote. The House bill also would eliminate the green-payment Conservation Stewardship Program and loosen limits on farm subsidies.
One of the House negotiators, Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern, a leading advocate of SNAP, told constituents that he favors the Senate bill. It’s not certain lawmakers will agree on a final version of the farm bill this year, he said during his annual farm tour of western Massachusetts. “It’s not a done deal. … I hope we do get to ‘yes.’ American farmers deserve a farm bill.”