Farm Bill Failed Friday

It was deja vu all over again.  On June 20th of 2013, U-S Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas pleaded with lawmakers to pass a Farm Bill, but after heated debate, the legislation was defeated.  Fast forward to Friday, May 18th of this year, again, debate over the Farm Bill, got heated, and once again, a pre-vote plea to pass the legislation.

"We've had three years of hard work on this,” said Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, “114 hearings, we're ready to move this bill forward."

And, just like five years ago the Farm Bill legislation failed to move forward, it was voted down Friday, 198-to-213.

That prompted Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to issue a statement, saying in part, "Our farmers feed the people of this nation and the world. They deserve the certainty of a Farm Bill.

However, House Speaker Paul Ryan did move to reconsider the vote which opens the door to possibly voting on the legislation again.

“I am disappointed that House Democrats and some Republicans joined together to vote against farmers,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse. “Congress must act to strengthen the future of American farmers who are struggling with the lowest farm income in more than a decade. Before voting in favor of the Farm Bill, I traveled up and down Central Washington to speak with local farmers, ranchers, and producers, and this legislation would have gone a long way to address the concerns raised by my constituents. As a farmer myself, I understand how important support for agriculture research and strengthening market access are for our agriculture community.

"This legislation would have strengthened the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. From repealing the burdensome Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) to forest health reforms to reauthorizing programs that provide much-needed stability for farmers and ensure a stable food supply, Congress must fulfill our commitment to farmers and pass a Farm Bill,” Newhouse added

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