Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) warned of the potential impact for farm bill spending if there are cuts tied to any deal to increase the debt limit. “At this moment in the discussions, literally right now here, I have serious concerns about the potential of default that’s hanging over our heads for all of us who care about this farm bill and agriculture.” She also told the farm group representatives the panel wants to “do the best we can” relative to farm programs, acknowledging groups are calling for more resources in the package. But she said if there is not additional spending or even cuts in spending for the bill, “we’re going to need to focus on our top priorities.”
By contrast, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) earlier this week reportedly was confident the panel would be given more resources to write the next farm bill. At a crop insurance meeting, Thompson expressed his desire to get a bill done this week but admitted there were challenges to making that reality.
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