The farm bill vote went just as House Ag Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Conaway predicted on Thursday morning’s AgriTalk—it passed but just barely. The 213 votes needed ended up being the magic number for Conaway as the bill will prepare for conference and more debate.
Unlike the House bill, the Senate farm bill was built on a bipartisan foundation, which means that the joint version will likely end up looking very different from what the House passed on Thursday.
“I’ve not made any kind of indication that this bill will be what goes to the president’s desk,” said Conaway. “I know there will be compromise. I hope that Collin [Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)]. And his colleagues will take that opportunity to reengage, which they were elected to do.”
Even with those changes, he said that it remains the president’s and house speaker’s desire to see a farm bill with some form of work requirements connected to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“Paul Ryan is dead set on this being their one bite at welfare reform during his remaining months as speaker,” said Conaway.
Conaway did say he looks forward to the debate that between the House and Senate. The Senate version of the farm bill has not been passed yet, but is expected to make it through the floor with far less trouble than its counterpart in the House.
Also on Thursday’s AgriTalk, Conaway and host Chip Flory discussed the president’s trade agreement plans and immigration reform. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey also looked at the forecast, and AEM President Dennis Slater explained what steel and aluminum tariffs mean for farmers.
Catch the full AgriTalk conversation by clicking the player below.
