Roberts Feeling More Confident A Farm Bill Will Pass

Senate Ag Chairman Pat Roberts said he now sees a pathway to a final House-Senate farm bill that can pass by the end of September.  Roberts said even the toughest difference between the two farm bills, the House’s tightened SNAP food stamp work requirements, can be bridged.  While the President has strongly suggested the House language remain in the final legislation, Roberts says it’s not a do-or-die part of the Farm Bill.

“He said work with what works.  It doesn’t have to be the House version.  It can be an amalgamation of both.”

House Ag Chair Mike Conaway said in last week’s public meeting of House and Senate negotiators that even on SNAP, and his side’s “willing and able to come to consensus with the Senate.”  Roberts said there is nearly a month to get a deal done.

“I think there is agreement in both chambers, that when we come up with a bill, it will be expedited, there’s no need to talk about it anymore.”

Roberts said staff is working to reconcile differences, and he and the other ag principals will be in touch either by phone or in person this week, in hopes of finalizing a deal.  Roberts added it would still be a “heavy lift” to get a final bill on the Senate floor this week.

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