Lawmakers Seek Bipartisan Support for New Farm Bill

By Scout Nelson

The effort to pass a new Farm Bill remains uncertain as lawmakers look for ways to move the legislation through Congress. The current Farm Bill process has faced delays, while the upcoming midterm elections add another challenge to the debate.

Jackson Dircks of SDPB reported that U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds said the Senate may face difficulty moving the legislation forward because 60 votes are needed to advance a bill.

“I think once the election is complete, we’ll know just exactly what the prospects are for getting a Farm Bill out this year,” Rounds said at a Congressional Forum in Mitchell on Aug. 19.

The House has already passed its version of the current Farm Bill, but the Senate version remains in committee. Democrats have raised concerns about proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, while some Republicans have concerns about whether the Senate package is conservative enough.

“We’re looking at all the options, and obviously without handicapping it too much at this point, the ideal way would be if we get Sen. McConnell back when we get back, and then just get it reported out of committee," Thune told reporters following the Congressional panel. "Then we’ll figure out from there the best path forward.”

Another major issue is year-round E15 gasoline. House and Senate proposals contain different rules for small refineries, creating an issue that lawmakers may need to resolve through a conference committee.

The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to revisit the Farm Bill in September.