Farm Bill Tops Agenda For Congress in 2018

By Chad Bouchard

Posted January 4, 2018

Many lawmakers are hoping to push through a new farm bill during a window of opportunity in early 2018.

Some analysts say the door for swift action would swing shut by late spring as incumbents look to midterm elections in November.

But zippy passage would mean a new farm bill that's a near carbon copy of the previous one.

Sustainability advocates like Michael PollanÂ are pushing forÂ aggressive revision.

Oregon Representative Earl Blumenauer introduced an Â "alternative" farm bill last year that would reform crop subsidies and insurance programs.

Ag industry groups like the National Farmer's Union are supporting a new bill that mostly looks much like the old, allowing for a few adjustments.

Peanut growers, for example, are hoping their insurance safety net will remain intact.

Before the winter recess, the House passed $81 billion in disaster relief for damage from hurricanes and fires in 2017.

But that bill also gave cotton growers access to crop insurance and lifted a $20 million limit on insurance for dairy farmers.

Farm groups cheered the move as a way to start subsidy talks early and stay on track to reauthorize the farm bill.

But those provisions could be a sticking point for the disaster bill as some conservative lawmakers are reluctant to expand subsidies.

The Heritage Foundation called subsidy provisions in the disaster relief bill "shameful," and Taxpayers for Common Sense called the move a "huge giveaway."

Republicans in both chambers are planning to discuss their 2018 legislative strategy at a retreat in late January.

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said during a news conference that the Senate might not start discussing the bill until late February.

As with farm bills of the past, there has already been talk of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and a move to sever it from the farm bill.

That move would likely stall the bill in debate and could scuttle hopes for an early passage.