The U.S. House could vote on the farm bill as soon as today. Several amendments have been offered including one that would cut crop insurance and overall farm subsidies. South Dakota Corn Growers Association President Troy Knecht isn’t surprised at the amendment and says agriculture seems to have to defend farm programs during any debate in the House. He thinks farm state Representatives will be able to keep those kind of amendments from passing.
He says it’s critical farm groups and their Congressional delegations educate the other House members on the importance of passing a farm bill with a solid safety net.
Knecht thinks they’ll get a better farm bill out of the Senate although they’ll have to come to some agreement on the nutrition title or the SNAP program in the House version.
Knecht is encouraged Senate Ag Chairman Pat Roberts is working to get a markup of the farm bill sometime next week.
