Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell put the farm bill and a defense bill at the top of his list for Senate passage before the Independence Day recess three weeks from now. “In the short term, we’re going to turn to a defense authorization bill and the farm bill before the one week around July 4th,” the leader said on Tuesday after a luncheon with fellow Republican senators.
The Senate Agriculture Committee will probably to vote on its version of the farm bill next week, said a press aide for chairman Pat Roberts. The “mark up” date should be announced shortly. Roberts and the lead Democrat on the committee, Debbie Stabenow, aim for an “evolutionary” bill that makes few major changes in food stamps, farm supports or crop insurance. The House will try later this month to revive a Republican-written farm bill that toughens work requirements on SNAP while easing payment limit rules for farmers.
At present, the Senate is scheduled to adjourn on June 29 for Independence Day and resume work on July 9. Besides the defense and farm bills, McConnell said he hoped for action on bills dealing with the FAA and water projects before the week of July 4.
To watch a C-SPAN video of McConnell discussing the Senate agenda, click here.