Questions about the fate of the Farm Bill have been circulating around Capitol Hill since the House of Representatives famously failed to pass its version of the bill on June 21. It was then that the nearly $1 trillion bill was shot down by a vote of 234-195, with 62 Republicans joining Democrats in casting a nay vote. As I reported in the final days of consideration of the bill, the debate was polarized between farm subsidies and food stamp programs. In the end, it's unclear which side won.
House leadership no doubt felt the heat last week and that scrutiny does not look like it will end any time soon. The agricultural industry was not shy about hiding its disappointment in the vote and many farmers and ranchers are already predicting higher prices if the farm bill is not reauthorized. Yet the most telling side of the House's final vote on the bill lies within the chamber itself. Many insiders are pointing at the House's handling of the farm bill as a sign of what is yet to come; saying that the House is simply too divided to pass any major piece of legislation.
But the biggest question on everyone's mine last week was "what now?" Will the House Agriculture Committee present a revised bill? Perhaps one that doesn't include as deep of cuts to the food stamp program? If a bill is not re-introduced, will another extension of the 2008 Farm Bill occur? Or will a more creative strategy to passage be considered? Rumors even began circulating at the end of last week about splitting the two most controversial issues up by floating legislation on food stamps and farm subsidies independently. But even that move has drawn opposition, both from party officials and the agricultural community who sees the political value of keeping the two issues tied together.
The parties seem to agree on one thing though... that it is critical to reauthorize the farm bill. But at this point, its just too difficult to know if they will be able to do so.
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