Discussion on the new farm bill continues as conferees may be getting closer to passing a measure. Environmental Working Group’s Vice President of Government Affairs Scott Faber says he remains optimistic they’ll get that completed and it will resemble what the Senate passed.

He never expected stringent SNAP work provisions to get into the final farm bill as the House wanted but says the real debate left is whether or not farm payment loopholes will get closed or expanded.

Faber wants the final farm bill to include Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley’s farm payment limitation provision.

Faber says no one wants a 2019 farm bill and anticipates Congress will be voting in December on new farm legislation.