AFBF Hopeful Farm Bill Will Pass In Final Week Of Lame Duck

The Farm Bill conference committee announced last week it had agreed in principle setting up for passage of the pivotal legislation by year’s end.  Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation congressional relations director, says the hope is lawmakers will address the bill during this the final week of 2018.

“There was a thought we could see action on the House or Senate floor this week, but unfortunately with the passing of President George H.W. Bush, everything was put on pause for folks to mourn here in Washington, but give a little more time for Committees and the Congressional Budget Office to hopefully wrap this Farm Bill up, and opportunity for the House and Senate to consider it.”

Walmsley reiterated that American farmers need the stability an updated Farm Bill offers.

“You look at where conditions are in farm country, obviously still a lot of uncertainty, with challenges with markets, challenges with Mother Nature, maybe a little bit of progress on the trade front, over the past few days, but it would be nice to have the certainty of a five-year Farm Bill

Walmsley said farmers and ranchers can help push the bill across the finish line, by reaching out to their congressional leaders during this final week and asking that the Farm Bill be passed and pushed on to President Trump for his signature.

Washington:

Dan Newhouse (202) 225-5816

Cathy McMorris Rodgers (202) 225-2006

Dave Reichert (202) 225-7761

Maria Cantwell (202) 224-3441

Patty Murray (202) 224-2621

Oregon:

Greg Walden (202) 225-6730

Jeff Merkley (202) 224-3753

Ron Wyden (202) 224-5244

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