Farm Bill negotiators have come to terms on key issues in the farm bill, but some new demands from the White House to add changes to forestry policy has been bumped up to congressional leaders to reach a deal. Pro Farmer’s Washington Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer says mid-week there is optimism ag committee leaders are very close to finishing a deal.
He says House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway has backed off of work reforms.
However, Senate Ag Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow says the last-minute demands could bring down the bill and the forestry issues have been bumped up to Senate and House leaders.
Wiesemeyer says if the leaders are successful in reaching a deal the new bill would strengthen the Commodity title.
Once an agreement is reached the leaders will still have the option of tying the farm bill to the appropriations bill, especially in the case of a close vote.
