Thursday the Senate voted 86 to 11 to approve their version of the 2018 farm bill. Included in the legislation is an amendment authored by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley to limit farm program payments to those actively engaged in farming. Center for Rural Affairs Policy Associate Anna Johnson is pleased Senators passed the farm bill including that provision.

She says the farm payment loopholes need to be closed and a government report highlighted that need.

Johnson says they wanted Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s amendment to limit crop insurance subsidies for the largest farming operations included in the legislation.

Johnson says they were disappointed Senators did not include the Durbin amendment in the final measure.