House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says the passage of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act is a miracle. He says even though the bill passed with large margins out of both chambers, they came close to losing the bill. That’s because after the Rules Committee wrapped up the Republican leadership tried to attach an amendment to the farm bill rules regarding a provision that would limit the Administration’s ability to be involved in Yemen. That got caught up in political posturing.
He says there are obstacles in every farm bill and in the other one in 2018 was the debate on the work requirements that held up the legislation for six months.
After the President signs the bill, the next focus will be implementation. Peterson will become Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee with the switch in House control, so the duty will fall on his watch. He says that process will be lengthy.
South Dakota Congresswoman Kristi Noem says it wasn’t a perfect bill, but it was important to pass the legislation as farmers have been struggling economically.
Passage of the $867 billion farm bill was historical as it is the first time since 1990 the legislation was introduced and enacted in the same year.
